China targets micro dramas over soft porn, violence, materialism

China's National Radio and Television Administration has ordered provincial authorities to crack down on micro dramas containing soft pornography, materialism, and violent content. The campaign targets "distorted views on marriage and relationships," "ostentatious displays of wealth," feudalistic themes, vulgar titles, and copyright infringement. Local authorities will conduct spot checks on production firms, which must rectify issues promptly. The administration will also carry out its own inspections and update regulations. Micro dramas—serialized, made-for-mobile clips—have become a multi-billion dollar industry globally, with producers in South Korea and the United States investing in studios. Last year, China required high-profile micro dramas to receive government approval. Platforms like WeChat and Douyin have already removed sexually suggestive material and content promoting harmful ideologies. The crackdown aligns with President Xi Jinping's "common prosperity" policy and broader efforts to guide social norms amid economic challenges. Separately, China's Cyberspace Administration launched a two-month campaign against "pessimistic sentiments" online, targeting narratives promoting "world-weariness" or suggesting hard work is "useless."