China bans TV shows about cosmetic surgery, sex changes

The Chinese government on Friday said it has banned TV shows about cosmetic surgery and sex changes, after recently shutting down a talent show that it called coarse.

A headline on the Web site of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said it had banned "shows about cosmetic surgery, sex changes that involve public participation." The full order could not be downloaded. The Beijing News newspaper reported Friday that the order said such programs show "bloody imagery," calling them "explicit, cheap in tone". (AP)