The Chinese government has a strict censorship policy that extends to the media and entertainment industry. The ban on ghost movies and dramas produced by Chinese filmmakers is part of this censorship policy. The Chinese government has stated that the ban is in place to regulate the nation’s cultural market and promote “positive” values.
According to a statement released by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television in 2014, the ban on ghost movies and dramas was implemented to “maintain the correct direction for the country’s culture and art development.” The statement also stated that ghost movies and dramas “lack positive thoughts and meaning.”
The censorship policy in China is designed to maintain social stability and promote the values of the Communist Party. The government views ghost movies and dramas as potentially promoting superstition and a belief in the supernatural, which is inconsistent with the values of scientific socialism that the Communist Party promotes.
In addition, the government also believes that ghost movies and dramas can have a negative impact on the mental and emotional well-being of the public, particularly young people. The government has stated that such content can “disturb social order” and “harmful to the physical and mental health of young people.”
While the ban on ghost movies and dramas has been in place for several years, some filmmakers have attempted to circumvent the ban by creating ghost stories that are more subtle or that contain positive messages. However, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful, as the government’s censorship policies are strictly enforced.
In conclusion, the ban on ghost movies and dramas produced by Chinese filmmakers is part of the Chinese government’s censorship policy designed to regulate the nation’s cultural market and promote “positive” values. The government believes that such content can have a negative impact on the public and does not align with the values of the Communist Party.
Sources:
- State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television. (2014, August 22). Statement on the ban on ghost movies and dramas.
- China Daily. (2014, August 22). Ghost movies banned in China to promote ‘positive values’.
- China Film Insider. (2021, January 15). China’s ban on ghost movies: The story so far.
