SARFT urges TV stations to reconsider using anyone with misdeeds

State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, China's top media regulator, reportedly called on TV stations in China to "carefully reconsider" hiring directors, writers or actors who have done misdeeds in the past.

The center responsible for regulation television at SARFT reportedly issued oral notices to major TV stations in China. An insider told a reporter at Southern Metropolis Daily that no clear boundaries for "careful reconsideration" were given and a comprehensive explanation on "misdeeds" was not provided by SARFT.

However, a detailed list of media workers who have brushed their shoulders against the law were provided to the stations, including Huang Haibo, Wang Quan'an, Zhang Mo, Kai Ko, Ning Caishen, Gao Hu, Wen Zhang, Li Dadimo, Zhang Yuan and Jaycee Chan.

From the list, it seems the term "misdeeds" referred by SAFRT includes not only wrongdoing related to hiring prostitutes or using illegal substances, as actor Wen Zhang, whose extramarital affair upturned China's social media in late March this year, is also on the list.

The issue from SARFT only involves TV so far, but it will most likely have an effect throughout showbiz and influence radio, film, music and theater in the future.