By Bivash Mukherjee, IANS
Shanghai : A recent verbal joust involving two of China’s best-known television anchors may have prompted the Chinese regulators to clamp down on Internet videos on private websites.
During a recording to relaunch Chinese state broadcaster’s sports channel CCTV 5 as the Olympic channel on New Year’s Day, the invited guests at the studio got more than the share of rabble-dabble they had expected.
Zhang Bin, a sports commentator and one of the country’s most familiar television faces, was hosting the programme when his wife Hu Ziwei, herself a well-known television personality with a local TV station, walked up to the podium and stunned the audience by telling them that her husband was cheating on her!
“Today is a special day for Zhang Bin, a special day for the Olympic Channel … and a special day for me too. Because just two hours ago, I found out that, besides me, Zhang Bin has been having an improper relationship with another woman,” Hu told the gathered audience during the programme that was being recorded for the big launch.
A visibly upset Hu went on to claim that her husband’s infidelities would bring shame on the Chinese mainland and the Games.
The three-minute clip could be seen on popular Chinese websites for a day and was the subject of massive interest among China’s netizens, embarrassing the powers-that-be in this Olympic year. It was blocked later but not before it had made its way to international video websites like YouTube.
The damage clearly was done.
Even more disturbing for the authorities was Hu Ziwei’s reference to a “French diplomat” (France President Nicolas Sarkozy).
“But as a French diplomat once pointed out, if Chinese people don’t have any humane values to present to the world … then what does all the [Olympic] fuss mean?” she asked.
On Thursday, China announced new regulations that restrict uploading of Internet videos, including those posted on video-sharing websites, to government-run sites.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information Industry approved the regulations, which come into effect Jan 31.
It states that websites that provide video programming or allow users to upload video will need government permits.
It remains to be seen how the new ruling affects the popular California-based YouTube, which has a Chinese-language website, but operates from outside of the country.
The rules insist that those who provide Internet video services “serve the people, uphold socialism and abide by the moral code of socialism”.
During the 2006 World Cup football tournament another CCTV commentator hit the headlines over his controversial rant on air while covering a game.
When Francesco Totti converted a penalty against Australia to send Italy into the quarterfinals, commentator Huang Jianxiang shouted live on air: “Goooooal! Game over! Italy win! Beat the Australians! … Italy the great! … Happy birthday to Maldini! Forza Italia!”
“The victory belongs to Italy, to Grosso, to Cannavaro, to Zambrotta, to Buffon, to Maldini, to everyone who loves Italian soccer! … (Australia) should go home. They don’t need to go as far away as Australia as most of them are living in Europe. Farewell!”
Huang later claimed to be a keen follower of Italy’s Serie A league. World Cup newcomers Australia have become a growing football rival for China since it moved into the Asian confederation.
Huang apologised and was shunted out of the job but his outburst became a popular mobile phone ring tone besides being a big hit on the Internet.
With the Summer Olympics just months away, an image-conscious China is on guard to avoid any more potential embarrassments.