China Cracks Down On Children’s Cartoons In Latest Display Of Censorship

The Chinese Communist Party is once again putting its grand authoritarianism on display as adult comic and animation fans in China are now having limits placed on the kind of entertainment they are allowed to view thanks to new restrictions aimed at allegedly protecting minors from “vulgarity.”

And just who is it that determines what “vulgarity” is? Well, the government of course! After all, in a communist nation, it’s the job of the nanny state to ensure that its people are protected from things that might corrupt them.

via Washington Examiner:

The National Radio and Television Administration, China’s broadcasting authority, announced on Friday that it would ban cartoons and other television shows primarily produced for children that contain any mention of violence, blood, vulgarity, or pornography.

“Children and adolescents are the main audience groups of cartoons,” the authority went on to explain, going on to advise broadcast organizations to create special TV channels for kids that present a good environment for “the healthy growth of young people.”

However, the new regulations apply to all current cartoons on television, as well as those that are streamed online. While the administration did not name any specific shows on the chopping block, networks did not hesitate to institute bans under the policy immediately.

One popular Japanese cartoon series called Ultraman Tiga was removed from online streaming platforms on Friday. The show, which tells the story of a superhero who protects Earth from aliens and monsters, may have been removed due to its “violent plot,” according to state-run tabloid the Global Times.

The removal of the cartoon resulted in massive backlash from folks who use Weibo, which is a popular social media platform in China.

“So many people liked to watch the animation Tiga when they were young. It not only [expresses] belief in the light, but it’s also my people’s childhood memories. Besides, it doesn’t bring people any negative impact,” one Weibo user stated in the comments under the now-deleted post, CNN reported .

The regulators also went on to ban several reality shows, restrict social media fan culture, and ordered broadcasters to start resisting “abnormal aesthetics” such as “sissy” men.

“In another move targeting minors, China announced last month that citizens under 18 will be limited to three hours of online video games during the week in an effort to improve physical health and prevent video game addiction,” the report added.