China Launches Crackdown on Negative Content in Short Videos and Social Media Posts

China's internet censors are cracking down on short videos that spread "misleading content" and promoting incorrect values such as pessimism and extremism. The annual online crackdown, known as "Qing Lang," aims to create a healthy space for competition and benefit people's mental health. The crackdown will also target content producers who make up stories about social minorities, as well as AI-generated fake videos. This year's crackdown comes as China's economy continues to struggle after the Covid-19 pandemic. In previous months, videos highlighting the plight of homebuyers affected by the property sector crisis have been circulating online, raising concerns about future economic prospects.