The9's Banned Livestream Sparks Outrage and Raises Concerns Over Censorship in China

A recent controversy has erupted in the Chinese entertainment industry after the officially affiliated livestream account of popular boy band,时代少年团 (The9), was banned from the popular social media platform, Weibo. The account was taken down allegedly due to copyright issues related to a recent concert performance by one of the group's members, 马嘉祺 (Ma Jiaqi).

According to fans, the entire concert was livestreamed on the account, but onlyencoderama particular song, "蜉蝣" (Feng Ya), was removed due to copyright concerns. However, many fans argue that this reasoning is suspicious, as other songs performed during the concert remain available on the platform.

One fan, @峰峻文化, questioned the logic behind the ban, stating, "If it's a platform copyright issue, then why are the other performers' songs still available? If it's a song copyright issue, then why are the other songs not affected? Is Feng Ya's copyright not owned by 峰峻了 (Feng Jun)? Or is the problem that the artist doesn't belong to 峰峻了?" The fan also pointed out that the livestream of "Feng Ya" had the highest playback volume and engagement among all the performances.

The incident has sparked a heated debate among fans, with many expressing concerns over the increasing censorship and restrictions on creative content in China. @哔哩哔哩弹幕网 noted that this is not the first time that The9's content has been censored, and questioned whether the group's management company is to blame.

Another fan, 投：文轩, highlighted the inconsistency in the platform's treatment of different artists, stating, " Fourth time [the account] has been unlocked, and also the only C[combination] that has been restricted is Cwenchao!!" This sentiment was echoed by many fans, who feel that the ban is unfair and targeted towards The9 specifically.

Amidst the controversy, fans have been sharing links to alternative platforms where they can still access the banned content. However, this has also raised concerns over the risks of piracy and the impact on the music industry.

The incident has also brought attention to the complexity of China's copyright laws and the challenges faced by artists and creators in navigating these regulations. As one netizen noted, "[This] shows that the copyright issue is not just about the song itself, but also involves platform and management company interests."

As the situation continues to unfold, fans and netizens are eagerly awaiting further clarification on the reasons behind the ban. The9's management company has yet to issue an official statement, fueling speculation and frustration among fans.

The controversy surrounding The9's livestream ban highlights the ongoing tensions between creative freedom and censorship in China's entertainment industry. As the government increasingly tightens its grip on online content, artists and fans alike are being forced to adapt to an ever-shifting landscape of restrictions and regulations.