With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), some online accounts are abusing AI tools to fundamentally distort, parody, or vulgarize classic films, TV dramas, and animated works, raising public concern, the government said.
The campaign will focus on removing videos that have been altered by AI based on television productions based on the four classic novels. Dream of the Red House, swamp outlaws, Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdomshistorical and revolutionary themes, depictions of heroes and role models. Targeted content includes videos that significantly deviate from the original spirit or depiction of characters; videos that promote violence, sensationalism, or vulgarity; videos that convey distorted values; and videos that undermine public morals.
Authorities will also address notable cases of appropriation and distortion of Chinese culture that lead to misunderstandings about history, cultural symbols, and national identity. Additionally, so-called “cult-style” animations created by modifying children's favorite cartoon characters will also be removed.
This campaign calls on online audiovisual platforms to fulfill their primary responsibilities, increase content review and moderation, decisively remove non-compliant content, and take action against accounts that contribute significantly to these issues. These measures aim to curb the spread of undesirable trends such as AI-altered videos, thereby creating a healthier cyberspace for the development of minors.
This campaign deepens a series of remedial efforts to date. NRTA's Network Audiovisual Programs Administration has issued administrative guidance (regarding AI-altered content) as early as December 2024, noting that such videos indiscriminately desecrate classic IP, seek to gain ratings by undermining traditional cultural perceptions, depart from the core spirit of the original work, and may constitute infringement.
The operating guidelines point out that such classic works modified by AI include one that turns “The Empress's Palace” into a “gunplay movie.” Dream of the Red House They could make it into a “kung fu drama'' or depict Son Goku as a monkey king running away on a motorcycle.
In November, NRTA issued a working guide to launch a specialized effort to target harmful online animated mini-dramas and short videos. This is the first time that AI-generated content (AIGC), comics, emoticon-based minidramas, and other animation formats have been incorporated into a classified and tiered review system. The initiative aims to create a clean and clear cyberspace for minors by strengthening pre-release reviews, removing non-compliant content, and regulating broadcasting.
After the new campaign concludes, NRTA said it will review the results and further develop long-term governance measures to improve regulatory mechanisms and ensure sustained and normal oversight.
