Watchdog bans online content that spoofs, demeans classics

China's broadcast watchdog released a notice on Thursday to ban websites spoofing and demeaning classics to further regulate online broadcasts.

All websites that broadcast programs are not allowed to make, misrepresent, spoof and demean classic art works, and reedit, redub or re-subtitle classic art works, broadcast programs and original online programs without permission, according to a notice released by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The notice blamed recent issues involving the production and broadcast of some online programs, which "create an extremely bad influence in society."

It required provincial and lower broadcast departments to "strictly regulate remaking programs, including those which netizens uploaded," in order to cut the channels for issues on "social orientation, copyright and program content."

If such programs were reported, they should be directly removed from the internet.

"The program should insist on correct orientation" and "should not abuse eye-catching headlines to attract clicks," the SAPPRFT ordered.

Amusing videos of people performing to the solemn and inspirational tune of the Yellow River Cantata were being disseminated online.

Composed by Xian Xinghai in 1939, the Yellow River Cantata is traditionally associated with the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).