China is now requiring live streamers and influencers who touch on subjects such as finance, law, medicine and education, to be qualified in discussing such matters through obtaining verified credentials, rather than relying on their popularity alone.
According to a report by Daily Express, the country’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) and Ministry of Culture and Tourism asserted that they’re stepping up regulations on live streamers and influencers engaging in specialised content by making it mandatory for them to obtain relevant qualifications.
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With this, the country is reinforcing the rule, first mentioned in its 2022 Code of Conduct for Online Anchors, and is updating the professional standards revealed this year by the China Performance Industry Association.
A recognised occupation in China
These laws and guidelines allow for ‘network anchor’ to be recognised as an occupation in China, and enforce skill levels and qualifications for those who work as live streamers and influencers on video platforms such as Douyin, Bilibili, Weibo and more.
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The Chinese authorities believe the move will professionalise the industry while protecting audiences from misinformation and aligning online live streaming work with their government’s digital framework.
While they are not mandating university degrees, the law now does require live streamers and influencers to have licenses, certifications and other expertise verifications in order to discuss specialised topics.
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