Crackdown on celebrity worship underway

Online lists ranking the popularity of individual celebrities or bands have been ordered to be taken down by China's top internet regulator amid new measures to rectify irrational support and even idolization of stars.

The Cyberspace Administration of China recently issued 10 new requirements for both celebrity agencies and internet platforms with the intent of better managing fan quan or "fan circles". The requirements were publicized on Friday.

Fan quan are highly organized groups of passionate, loyal supporters who share information about their idols and voluntarily spend their time, money and expertise on making these performers — usually budding pop singer or actors — as popular and influential as possible.

The rise of fan quan has played a key role in driving the entertainment industry, but it has also triggered public concern after some were found to have lured fans to irrationally support their idols by raising money, flaunting their wealth or becoming involved in mudslinging exchanges with followers of rival performers.

To further alleviate such social disturbances in cyberspace, the administration said internet platforms should draw up clear and strict guidelines for studios or agencies tied to celebrities for their online account registration, posts, commercial promotion, emergency public relations and fan-base management.

Online accounts of celebrities and their studios or companies will be prohibited from posting, and may even face shutdowns if they do not prevent fans from engaging in arguments, defamation or the dissemination of other harmful content on the internet, the authority said.

Internet platforms also need to remove such posts in a timely manner or run the risk of harsher punishments, it added.

Meanwhile, online communities, groups and channels that lure fans to raise money for celebrities or share gossip about them will be cleaned up, and online programs and talent shows are also forbidden from encouraging fans to pay to vote for contestants, it said.

Furthermore, as many followers are young, especially those under the age of 18, the administration clarified that underage fans are banned from assuming managing roles of online groups and activities. At the same time, they are not allowed to use money to support or endorse stars.

The irrational idolization of stars has attracted government attention after a particular incident shocked the nation in May. At the time, video footage showing a group of fans pouring milk down drains to support idols in a talent show went viral on Chinese social media platforms. 

The fans were just after the bottle caps that had a QR code printed on the inside, as scanning the code would register a vote for their idol in various competitions and boost their favorite star's brand cachet.

Since then, the government's steps against such star-crazed behavior have been accelerated. In June, for example, the administration launched a two-month campaign targeting those using improper means to lure fans to support idols.

Zheng Ning, head of the Cultural Industries Management School's law department with Communication University of China, said the cyberspace administration's requirements and regulations addressing fan quan are needed, but they're still not enough.

Zheng called for more sectors of society to help carry out the regulations, suggesting that the country establish professional systems to evaluate celebrities' performance as well as what contributions they make to society.

"Besides, education on laws and art ethics for celebrities and their companies should be increased, and schools and parents need to provide more care for youngsters to help them support idols sensibly," she added.