Top Biz News

Misleading radio, TV ads banned

By Zhu Zhe (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-21 08:31

Television and radio commercials for breast-enhancement treatments and weight-loss products and equipment will be banned across the country starting next month.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC) issued the ban on Wednesday.

The ban is targeted at misleading advertisements in which some medical organizations exaggerate the results of treatment, inviting "experts and patients" to show the "magic effects," according to the two administrations.

Zhao Jian, deputy director of the SAIC's advertising supervision department, said the problem is  "very serious" and has harmed consumers' legitimate rights and interests.
"Misleading commercials have also affected credibility of radio and television," he said.

The Beijing Administration for Industry and Commerce (BAIC) received only one complaint about TV direct-selling commercials in 2004, but the number soared to 451 last year.

The complaints focused on the exaggerated effect and poor quality of the products, according to the BAIC.

Early this month, consumer rights watchdogs said they were investigating a breast enhancement treatment that promises to transfer unwanted weight from the hips to the breasts.

Bolibao, a "miracle" treatment touted on 17 TV stations, was accused in a China Central Television documentary of causing gynaecological problems and of having no effect at all.

So far the ban has gained wide public support and recognition from large TV shopping companies.