Weibo pulls celeb ranking checklist immediately after condition media raps ‘unworthy’ stars

SHANGHAI, Aug 6 (Reuters) – China’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo (WB.O) reported on Friday it would choose down an on the internet checklist that ranks stars by recognition soon after point out media stated social media platforms ought to rein in the advertising of superstar society to protect kids.

The announcement came hours soon after the point out-owned People’s Day-to-day printed an editorial criticising platforms that prioritize targeted visitors and create famous people out of “unworthy” people today, who can attract notice and funds from lovers.

It did not identify any businesses.

Weibo reported its conclusion to choose down the “star power record”, which ranked stars based on the acceptance of their social posts and range of followers, was partly due to the “irrational support” some followers were being displaying for celebs.

“The list simply cannot comprehensively and objectively replicate the social impact of stars” and discourages nutritious conversation amongst stars and enthusiasts, the company stated in the statement.

The checklist was no for a longer time seen on line on Friday.

The People’s Day by day opinion piece is one particular of a number of editorials revealed this week calling for crackdowns on industries this kind of as gaming and liquor, which have prompted investors to dump stocks in focused sectors.

The posting argued that teenagers’ cultural practical experience, self-awareness and usage routines have been all motivated by new media and technological know-how, even though the variety of celebs they adopted and admired were being intently related to on line platforms.

The editorial will come immediately after Chinese-Canadian pop singer Kris Wu was detained by law enforcement amid allegations of seducing underage females. Wu has denied the accusations.

Wu’s scenario has been extensively adopted in China and viewed as a sign of excesses in China’s entertainment industry and well timed in the wake of the international #MeToo motion.

Online platforms really should “strictly handle idol growth programmes and fortify administration of expertise clearly show programmes” by controlling critiques, voting mechanisms and comments, the write-up reported.

Well-liked platforms in China on which enthusiasts interact with celebrities, besides Weibo, contain Bilibili Inc (9626.HK), Kuaishou Technological innovation (1024.HK), and ByteDance-backed Douyin.

Reporting by Josh Horwitz and Sophie Yu Enhancing by Nick Macfie

Our Specifications: The Thomson Reuters Rely on Ideas.