Fuss over TV drama's hepatitis line

• Source: Global Times
• [02:25 December 03 2009]
• Comments

By Zhang Lei

A fictional TV drama known for its juicy dialogue has caused some real life controversies after it was reported that a line referring to hepatitis B had to be deleted after the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television found it could be seen as discriminatory.

The move attracted applause from hepatitis B patients but raised concerns that the interest of mass viewers is not cared of.

The program Woju or Dwelling Narrowness, is shown on several TV channels across China including Shanghai Dragon TV. It revolves around young people struggling to buy an apartment in big cities, attracting viewers in the same boat.

The controversial scene that captured the attention of censors involved two sisters chatting at a dinner table. It was first aired November 16 but the administration wants that scene deleted before its re-airing.

In the scene, the younger sister takes a piece of meat from a plate and her elder sister says, "You didn't wash your hands. You may get hepatitis B, and you won't find a job."

That line angered one Internet user, who complained to the administration that the conversation as misleading and discriminatory to hepatitis B carriers, according to a report by China Youth Daily.

"We asked the producer to delete the line to avoid possible misunderstandings, though they insisted it was only performed by the character and they had no prejudice against them," the newspaper quoted an official as saying.