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BEIJING - China announced in mid-September ('07) that it has banned TV and radio ads for push-up bras, figure-enhancing underwear and sex aids. The government calls the items "social pollution" and made its latest move to purge China's airwaves of the stuff. Crude and suggestive language, as well as suggestive behavior and images are already in the sights of regulators in the communist government. This is just a few weeks ahead of a Communist Party congress, which is held twice each decade. Also banned are ads for sex items such as lotions or potions that claim to enhance performance in bed.

According to a notice issued in the past week by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, "illegal 'sexual medication' advertisements and other harmful ads pose a grave threat to society." Insupportable claims about some products' benefits or effectiveness are under scrutiny, as are lascivious imagery. In addition to misleading consumers and corrupting society, SARFT said these images "harm the credibility of public broadcasting and affect the image of the Communist Party and the government," the notice said.

Also off the table in China are TV talent shows of the "American Idol" ilk. In addition, SARFT ordered 13 radio shows off the air because they included explicit talk about sex or broadcast what the regulators called material of an "extreme pornographic nature."

Programs about cosmetic surgery and sex changes have also been banned. As an American, I find it difficult to imagine life in a country where the government can ban television or radio programs or ads because of their crudeness or misleading claims. Heavens, we'd have only half our entertainment if such things were taken away from the American public.

Come to think of it, perhaps China has a good idea there ...

Roshana Ariel is a long-time writer and editor who has visited China twice. She has recently created a website about China travel where she talks about her adventures in the fascinating country. Visit http://www.adventuresinchinatravel.com

Roshana is a fledgling paraglider pilot and an accomplished musician. She also is interested in brainwave technology and explores that field on her website http://www.brainwavejourneys.com

Source: www.a1articles.com