China’s internet watchdog is stepping up control of the spread of celebrity information on the Internet to fight against a tendency of over-entertainment and to create a positive and healthy online environment.

(Photo: CFP)

In a four-part notice issued Tuesday, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) listed 15 requirements to effectively manage online celebrity information.

According to the document, local Internet regulators should formulate a negative list that bars anyone from spreading online celebrity information that contains illegal content or promotes bad values like hedonism, flaunting wealth and wooing internet traffic. Examples include selling personal information about celebrities.

Celebrity appearances in open ads, hot searches, and trending recommendations will also be reduced to one appearance at a time, with exceptions to be made on a case-by-case basis. The same rule also applies to public announcements made by celebrities.

Among other key points, the accounts of celebrities, fan clubs and entertainment agencies will be subject to stricter regulation. Entertainment accounts that intentionally spread defamatory information or start wars on the Internet will face tough punishments, including being banned from posting and reducing revenue generated from marketing.

In addition, the CAC called on the standard for disciplining misbehaving celebrities to be consistent across all platforms to prevent any comebacks of celebrities with a tainted record.