Twenty-three Chinese radio and television stations signed a proposal Sunday, committing to turning down any advertisement that is against law or moral standards.

The 23 stations, including national ones like Central People's Broadcasting Station, and China Central Television as well as local stations, agreed that radio and TV stations should "refuse to broadcast any advertisement that are not in line with laws or social moral," on the proposal, which is drawn up the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the broadcast authority.

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

It called on stricter self-discipline in the industries and checkup over the content, orientation and style of advertisement, those on food, drug, cosmetics and medical services in particular.

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

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2005)