China steps up online video regulation

BEIJING - Chinese Internet and broadcasting authorities have ordered intensified efforts to regulate online video content.

The State Internet Information Office and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) jointly issued a circular asking online video content providers to closely examine their videos before making them available for viewing, according to a Monday statement from SARFT.

According to the circular, video content providers will be held responsible for the videos posted on their websites.

The circular also instructed relevant industry associations to step up self-disciplinary efforts regarding video content.

The statement said that the circular was issued upon requests from the public, as videos with vulgar or obscene content are believed by the public to have had a negative impact on both the mental health of young people and the development of online video content providers.