Legislators in southern China's Guangdong Province are urging TV and radio stations not to broadcast violent or pornographic content during peak time to help prevent young people from being exposed to harmful influences.

The measure is part of an amended juvenile crime law that legislators have submitted for approval to the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress.

The province has witnessed soaring juvenile crime rates in recent years, with over 8,000 young people aged between 14 and 18 appearing in court last year, up more than 20 per cent compared to 2004.

Meanwhile, crimes committed by young people in Guangdong now account for 10 per cent of the national total, according to a source at the Guangdong Provincial Communist Youth League.

Chen Ran, an official at the legislature's standing committee, said: "The rising juvenile crime rate has much to do with the social environment. As a result, the amended law has more terms and items related to improving the conditions for young people's development," Chen told China Daily on Friday.

Under the amended law, TV and radio programmes with harmful content will be banned the airwaves from 7 pm until 11 pm.

"Once the law is approved, broadcasters will be strictly required to ban programmes that could have a damaging effect on young people," Chen said.

Besides the prohibition of harmful programmes, legislators are also calling on the police to step up their monitoring of schools and their surrounding areas.

"We attach great importance to creating a proper social environment around schools, as we have found that children are affected by bad conditions in schools," Chen said.

In addition, according to the amended law, entertainment venues, including Internet cafes and nightclubs, will not be allowed to operate within 200 metres of any school.

Fines slapped on Internet cafes granting access to minors will also be increased to 5,000-15,000 yuan (US$625-1,875), according to the law.

Source: China Daily