SARFT to ban Internet slang on screen and ads

An example of an Internet slang. [Photo/Agencies]

Use of Internet slang and non-standardized Chinese on media programs and advertisements will be banned.

According to a notice issued by State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, use of words, terms and proverbs and other phrases must follow standardized rules in the Chinese language. Arbitrary changes to character, structures and meanings of Chinese terms, addition of Internet slang or foreign language in existing Chinese proverbs, and mimicking Chinese proverbs using Internet slang or similar-sounding characters will be prohibited.

According to the notice, use of the Chinese language in media and advertisements is deviating from the norm and does not comply with National Common Language Law of the People's Republic of China and Regulations on Broadcasting. Characters in terms and proverbs are often changed with similar-sounding ones to create different meanings. These types of slang are often popularized through the Internet and pose a risk to the essence of traditional Chinese culture.

Such phenomenon, which may mislead the public, especially youth, must be rectified, the notice said.

Radio and television broadcasting institutions are asked to inspect the subtitles, images and voice-overs in their programs thoroughly. Content not complying with the norm of Chinese language will not be approved for broadcast in the future.