China's broadcasting watchdog will impose stricter restrictions over prime-time television series from next month. The country's satellite TV stations should only screen "ethically inspiring TV series" during prime time.

The restrictions will go into effect beginning February and last for at least eight months. The SARFT has instituted a four-level censorship system for home-made TV series. Before being screened, they must be vetted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and by the SARFT.

The restrictions had been imposed with an eye on the 17th National Congress of the CPC which is scheduled to convene in Beijing in the second half of this year. In addition, all prime-time TV programs broadcast in China are required to keep script and video records for future censorship against vulgarity.

Liu Junzeng, director of the radio and television bureau of Pingshan county government in Hebei Province, has been sacked after the local television broadcasted a TV advertisement having "unhealthy content" on the night of January 16.

The SARFT has previously imposed limits on TV programs, including a ban on foreign cartoons during prime time from last September, and a crackdown on "vulgar reality shows."

Source:未知