TV stations reprimanded for 'celebrity worship'

Television stations in Shanghai and Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hunan provinces have been required to rectify on Friday after some of their programs were found to have content with excessive focus or speculation over celebrities, Beijing Daily reported on Friday.

The Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the National Radio and Television Administration lauded achievements of the four TV stations in promoting media integration and development in recent years, but pointed out the problem at the same time, according to the report.

The authorities urged the stations to make the public interest a priority and take a lead in programming and broadcasting.

The four stations showed their determination to correct the problem, saying they will provide more high-quality programs to meet people's bigger demands for enriched spiritual and cultural lives.