China Bans Broadcasts of Foreign Television Programs Dubbed in Local Chinese Dialects

The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television has issued a notice prohibiting the broadcasting of television programs dubbed in local Chinese dialects. The "Notice Regarding Strengthening the Administration of Broadcasting Dubbed Foreign Television Programs," (in Chinese) issued October 13 and published on SARFT's Web site, states that broadcasting such programs violates the spirit of the requirement in China's "Regulations on the Administration of Radio and Television" that "Radio and television stations shall promote the nation-wide use of the Mandarin dialect."