A total of 23 Chinese radio and television stations signed a proposal in Beijing on Sunday, committing to turning down any commercials that are against the law or do not meet moral standards.

The 23 stations, including national-level media such as Central People's Broadcasting Station and China Central Television (CCTV), and some local stations, agreed on a proposal by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, stating that radio and TV stations should "refuse to broadcast any advertisements or commercials that are not in line with laws or social moral."

The broadcast watchdog urged radio and TV stations to reject all misleading or illegal advertisements, improve censorship over the qualification of advertisement producer and the content of commercials and stick to the principle of "one-vote veto by censor."

The proposal also called on stricter self-discipline in the advertising industry and checking over the content, orientation and style of advertisements and commercials, those on food, drug, cosmetics and medical services in particular.

The 23 radio and TV stations also promised to expose typical cases of commercial fraud to help create a credibility-valued society.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2005)