Chinese audiences have been making fun of a report on China Central Television (CCTV) Monday, in which Michelangelo's David was shown with a pixelated penis, seemingly in an effort to protect viewers' modesty, and his own.

The emasculated image was shown in a news program at around 1 pm on Channel 13, featuring the ongoing exhibition of Italian artworks at the National Museum of China in Beijing. But in the repeat, aired three hours later, David was restored to his full glory.

"My friends and I couldn't stop laughing at the video clip," said Huo Xinghai, a Beijing-based arts designer.

"It's ridiculous to hide the private parts of a famous sculpture that's hundreds of years old," he said. 

Hou Yanlei, a Shanghai-based TV editor and director, said according to the rules of Chinese TV, images involving overly exposed human bodies, tattoos, or excessive earrings or nose rings must be pixelated before being shown on air.

"I'd choose not to use this picture rather than pixelating it to avoid awkwardness," he said.

CCTV could not be reached for comment Tuesday.