SARFT Spokesperson Talks with Journalist on the “Notice Concerning Further Strengthening Network Drama, Microfilm and Other Network Audiovisual Programme Management”

Note: the text of this Notice has not been made public. However, the following interview gives a good indication of the key provisions of this Notice and the consequences for Internet media enterprises.

On the 9th, a SARFT spokesperson responded to the questions of a Xinhua journalist on the “Notice Concerning Further Strengthening Network Drama, Microfilm and Other Network Audiovisual Programme Management”.

Q: Why was the “Notice Concerning Further Strengthening Network Drama, Microfilm and Other Network Audiovisual Programme Management” rolled out?

A: In recent years, network dramas, microfilms and other network audiovisual programmes have become a kind of burgeoning network culture business model that develops quickly, and has provided new channels for enriching the popular masses’ spiritual and cultural lives, and for the popular masses to participate in cultural construction. But, vulgar content, low style, playing up violence, sex and other problems have appeared in a part of the programmes, some use obscenities continuously, some sedulously display lower-grade tastes and scenes, some completely display gory and violent acts and scenes without any form of concealing, etc. Against this, one side is that netizens react strongly, and require the government to protect the spiritual and metal health of minors according to the law; another side is that audiovisual websites devoting themselves to producing and disseminating excellent network dramas, microfilms and other network audiovisual programmes reacted strongly, requiring government departments to restrain this timely, and prevent that bad programmes occupy the timeslots and space of excellent programmes. On the basis of the calls of netizens and the requirements of society, according to the “Internet Audiovisual Programme Management Regulations “SARFT and Ministry of Information Industry Decree No. 56), the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the State Internet Information Office have jointly promulgated the “Notice Concerning Further Strengthening Network Drama, Microfilm and Other Network Audiovisual Programme Management” (hereafter simply named “Notice”) on 9 July.

Q: How will guidance and standardization of network dramas, microfilms and other network audiovisual programme development be achieved through the “Notice?

A: As cultural products facing the social masses, how to be able to both comply with the rules and characteristics of Internet development, and comply with persisting in the correct orientation and disseminating mainstream values, is the basic principle of government management departments in formulating policy. The “Notice” clearly points out that the State encourages production of excellent network dramas, microfilms and other network audiovisual programmes. At the same time, the “Notice” also further clarified the measures for norm development, firstly, Internet audiovisual programme service work units, according to the principle of “who operates the web is responsible”, are to first examine and only afterwards broadcast network dramas, microfilms and other network audiovisual programmes without exception; second, network audiovisual programme sector associations and organizations are to launch sector self-discipline; third, government management departments conduct access and exit management over professional start-up subjects according to the law.

Q: Which concrete requirements does the “Notice” put forward?

A: The Notice requires Internet audiovisual programme service work units to realistically implement start-up subject duties, bear the social responsibility of mass media, and be responsibility for the broadcasted network dramas, microfilms and other network audiovisual programmes. Before programme broadcast, they shall organize examination personnel to conduct content examination, and only after passing through examinations may programmes be broadcast online. The “Notice” requires network audiovisual programme service sector associations to vigorously launch sector self-discipline activities, organize examination personnel training and examination, firmly grasp completing and perfecting corresponding work mechanisms, guide member work units to disseminate healthy and beneficial audiovisual programmes, creating a civilized and healthy network environment. The “Notice” requires corresponding government management departments to jointly bear the responsibility for management, guide and supervise Internet audiovisual service work units within their jurisdiction to implement management requirements.
广电总局新闻发言人就《关于进一步加强
网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目
管理的通知》答记者问
广电总局新闻发言人9日在京就《关于进一步加强网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目管理的通知》回答了新华社记者的提问。
问：为什么出台《关于进一步加强网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目管理的通知》？
答：近年来，网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目作为一种新兴网络文化业态发展迅速，在丰富人民群众精神文化生活、为人民群众参与文化建设方面提供了新的渠道。但是，部分节目出现了内容低俗、格调低下、渲染暴力色情等问题，有的脏话连篇，有的刻意展示低级趣味的场面，有的毫无遮饰地展示血腥暴力动作和场面，等等。对此，一方面是网民反应强烈，要求政府依法保护青少年身心健康；另一方面是致力于制作、播出优秀的网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目的视听网站反应强烈，要求政府部门及时约束，防止不良节目占据优良节目的时间和空间。根据网民的呼声和业界的要求，依据《互联网视听节目服务管理规定》（广电总局、信息产业部令第56号），国家广播电影电视总局和国家互联网信息办公室7月9日联合发布了《关于进一步加强网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目管理的通知》（以下简称《通知》）。
问：如何通过《通知》做到引导和规范网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目的发展？
答：作为面向社会大众的文化产品，如何既能顺应互联网发展的规律和特点，又能坚持正确导向和传播主流价值，这是政府管理部门制定政策的立足点。《通知》明确提出，国家鼓励生产制作优秀的网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目。同时，《通知》也进一步明确了规范发展的措施，一是互联网视听节目服务单位按照“谁办网谁负责”的原则，对网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目一律先审后播；二是网络视听节目行业协会组织开展行业自律；三是政府管理部门依法对业务开办主体进行准入和退出管理。
问：《通知》提出了哪些具体要求？
答：《通知》要求互联网视听节目服务单位，切实履行开办主体职责，承担大众传媒的社会责任，对播出的网络剧、微电影等网络视听节目负责。在节目播出前，应组织审核人员进行内容审核，审核通过后方可上网播出。《通知》要求网络视听节目服务行业协会，积极开展行业自律活动，组织审核人员培训与考核，抓紧健全完善相关工作机制，引导会员单位传播健康有益的视听节目，营造文明健康的网络环境。《通知》要求相关政府管理部门，共同负起管理责任，引导和督促辖区内互联网视听节目服务单位落实管理要求。