China’s Ministry of Culture has ordered music download sites to delete songs by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and the Backstreet Boys, to name a few. The Ministry has released a list of 100 songs that have never been submitted for mandatory government screening and therefore any sites offering the named songs for download in two weeks’ time will be punished.
It is the Chinese government’s policy is to carefully screen the content of all imported entertainment. They check for political messages or any content that is contrary to the official party line. This latest move is part of a crackdown on illegal downloading that began two years ago. The Ministry of Culture vowed to keep “poor taste and vulgar content” from the ears of the nation’s youth.
Lady Gaga has taken a hit after having 6 songs from her latest album make the list. Downloading sites have until Sept. 15 to carry out what is called “self-correction” and delete the songs.
