SARFT cracks down on corruption by banning 'gift-giving' ads

Advertisements with "gifts of choice for leaders and superiors" in the content, referring to gifts such as luxury watches, rare stamps, gold and silver commemorative coins, are said to be "spreading incorrect values that will adversely impact society", according to the SARFT.

The TV watchdog stressed that all industry sectors should "rigorously enforce the value of thrift and oppose extravagance and waste".

Radio and television as important ideological and cultural fronts, should lead the way to clean up "unhealthy practices [of corruption]" by ensuring that SARFT's ban is in place.

Advertisers and their agencies will have to cover the cost of producing modified versions of the original ads.