China bans fortune-telling ads

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February 01, 2005 09:40 IST

After a nationwide crackdown on telephone sex lines and online gambling sites, China has now banned fortune-telling advertisements.

The ban comes in the wake of complaints about advertisements based on superstition on TV channels.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has banned advertisements on 'birthday decoding' and 'new year fortune-telling' text messages and telephone services saying they promoted superstition, the state media reported.

"Advertisements that harm young minds or violate regulations will be banned immediately," the administration said.

Interest in traditional fortune-telling surges around the start of the Lunar New Year, when many people seek advice on financial, career and personal matters.

This year, the Chinese New Year falls on February 9.

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