Last week the Chinese government pulled a popular drama, Addicted, from being streamed on Chinese websites as it follows two men in gay relationships, causing uproar among the show’s millions of viewers.
The government said the show contravened the new guidelines, which state that “No television drama shall show abnormal sexual relationships and behaviours, such as incest, same-sex relationships, sexual perversion, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual violence, and so on.”
The ban also extends to smoking, drinking, adultery, sexually suggestive clothing, even reincarnation. China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television told television producers it would constantly monitor TV channels to ensure the new rules were strictly adhered to.
I'm not comfortable with this.
Many times social conservatives are happy when authorities like Putin or the Communist government implement a social conservative agenda.
But just remember that this power to dictate what everyone watches also undermines the social conservative agenda. Because while they're banning gay couples, they're allowing abortion ads, and banning pro-life anything.
So don't cheer too loudly.
