media - SARFT sees power eroding

media – SARFT sees power eroding

 

Sometimes reading Chinese media is still trying to read between the lines. Take for example this Xinhua article that announces that the State Administration of Radio, Film and TV (SARFT) tries to regulate the use of digital productions via TV stations, cinemas, film festivals, exhibitions and the internet. SARFT wants to approve all those productions before they are shown the the public.

"Those violating relevant regulations or lacking taste and having incorrect themes are forbidden to be broadcast and spread," the administration said, according to the article.

Thanks to all those cheap digital carriers producing video’s has become so easy and affordable for everybody, the old-style control systems have been erode. It triggered off right away some alarmist reactions at some of the mailing lists I have subscribed to, since it suggests a “crackdown”.

I would argue the opposite. Thanks to those digital carriers controlling has become almost undoable. Since controlling is the key business of this state administration, you can hardly expect them to throw the towel in the ring without any opposition. Their circular is a sign that things are changing.