A document setting out requirements for the dressing of TV presenters is by no means intended to limit people's free choice of their clothes, but a necessary step to avoid negative influences on the country's youth.

According to the paper issued recently by authorities in charge of the management of broadcasting, film and TV sectors, presenters should not wear clothes exposing too much of their bodies, colorfully dye their hair or behave indecently on the screen.

At a time when individualism is being increasingly stressed, such a policy risks igniting controversy and inviting criticism for too much administrative involvement.

But the authorities are not making a fuss or over-reacting, they are simply ensuring a sound social environment for young people.

Concerns that this policy would limit the diversity of people's tastes, or limit individual freedom overlook the fact that TV presenters are also public figures and their way of dressing on the screen has great impact on young viewers.

As public figures, the appearance and behavior of TV presenters have a great influence on their audiences, especially sensitive and vulnerable young people.

The inappropriate attire or behavior of presenters in order to satisfy the vulgar interests and bad tastes of a few may be regarded as something trendy by young people, who would be ready to follow suit.

Presenters all have the freedom to dress to display their unique personal characters. The country will not be returned to the time when the whole population, young and old, men and women, were dressed in uniform Mao suits, limited to either blue, green and grey. They, at the same time, should never forget their moral obligations as role models to millions of young viewers.

Stricter requirements on the dress of TV presenters are only part of the latest campaign by the authorities to guarantee a cleaner and healthier audio and visual environment for young people. Earlier this month, another document from the watchdog removed TV series with too many violent and bloody scenes from prime time slots.

Although the move attracted complaints from TV stations and the show's producers for a loss in income from commercials, it was applauded by both parents and schools.

Today, there is a consensus that excessive exposure to content including of violence, drugs and pornography is an important factor in the increasing number of crimes committed by young people.

The series of new policies worked out by the broadcasting, film and TV administration are, in fact, a timely and active response to a document issued in March by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, which spells out a package of proposals to create a healthy social environment for the country's young people in order to foster morally sound minds.

The 367 million young people under the age of 18 account for nearly a quarter of the country's total population. As the backbone of the country in a decade or so, the quality of today's young people determines the general quality of our nation in the future.

That explains the intensified attention to their healthy growth from leading authorities.

(China Daily May 14, 2004)