Talk shows warned about inappropriate content

Beijing authorities have reminded six leading talk show companies to reject vulgar and obscene content and not to seek laughs without considering the consequences.

Beijing law enforcement authorities in the cultural market spoke with the companies on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming National Day holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival, focusing on content, according to a news release distributed on Friday.

The talks center on the operating conditions of the talk show industry, management of artists, self regulation of content, management of the show and risk management. The authorities also warned the companies by using examples of specific cases.

In May, Li Haoshi, a comedian whose stage name is House, made an inappropriate joke about the PLA's motto during a talk show held in Beijing by the Shanghai Xiaosheng Culture Media Co. The company has been fined and all of its shows in Beijing have been suspended indefinitely.

Wang Zhanjun, deputy head of the Beijing law enforcement arm for the cultural market, told the companies to learn lessons from the cases and manage risks.

They were told to stay away from the red lines of the law and regulations and say no to artists who have misbehaved. Also, they were told to strengthen the management of talk show content, create works of good taste and set up a strict vetting and punishment system related to content.