China's broadcasting watchdog has banned all sexually suggestive
advertising on radio and television.
Commercials featuring sexually suggestive language or behavior
or featuring scantly dressed women were "detrimental to society,"
the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said
in a circular on Tuesday.
All stations are prohibited from broadcasting commercials and
programs involving drugs, sex-related health supplements, drugs for
sexually transmitted diseases, sex toys, as well as "vulgar" ads
for breast enhancement and female underwear, according to the
circular.
Commercials in which celebrities testify to the effects of
products are also banned.
The SARFT also ordered an end to programs with names including
sex-related drugs, products or medical institutions.
"Sexually suggestive ads and bad ads not only mislead consumers
seriously and harm public health, but are socially corrupting and
morally depraving, and directly discredit the radio and TV
industry," the circular said.
In July this year, the SARFT released a notice to stop ads with
inappropriate content or sex implications from appearing on TV
screens.
A total of 1,466 ads involving two billion yuan (US$267 million)
have been removed since August, statistics from the SARFT
showed.
The administration warned stations that failed to monitor the
quality of commercials and programs would face severe
penalties.
Since September 5, China's broadcasting watchdog has punished
ten radio stations for talk shows involving sexual topics.
(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2007)