Fuss over TV drama's hepatitis line

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

In China, there are about 120 million hepatitis B virus carriers. Some of them find it hard to enroll in schools or get a job because of widespread discrimination.

TV stations also deleted sexual explicit content before they are aired in a second round, Wuhan Evening News reported.

Liu Xiaonan, associate professor from China University of Political Science and Law, said the line concerning hepatitis B could have two meanings.

It is a false premise that people will get hepatitis B if they don't wash their hands, while it also reflects the fact that carriers have difficulty in finding jobs, Liu said.

A new law will make it illegal to bar carriers from working in the restaurant industry.

Zhan Jiang, professor with School of International Journalism and Communication from Beijing Foreign Studies Uni-versity, said the screenwriter shouldn't be blamed for lack of knowledge since the series is fictional.

"On the other hand, the complainant's action deserves respect even thought it is a little radical," he said.

An article posted on mylegist.com said the complainant and the administration have overreacted.

"The drama is popular because of its juicy lines. It reflects public lives and what viewers think. The lines made the drama more lively and authentic. Now that the line is deleted, who will care about the feelings of mass viewers," the article said.

Lei Chuang, a hepatitis B carrier, told the Global Times that the government's response shows its concern for hepatitis B carriers, and people who have become more aware of expressing their views and appealing for their legal rights.

"At first, I agree with the experts, but at second thought, it reminds me that more people would be misled by a wrong message coming from a hit sitcom and it would deepen discrimination," Lei said.