Television programmes showing beans shoved up nostrils, a self-mutilating magician and a prostitute revealing the secrets of her trade were rebuked by the Broadcasting Authority yesterday.
It issued sanctions against ATV, TVB and Wharf Cable for showing inappropriate programmes.
A serious warning was given to ATV for running a programme about a property development in the mainland border town of Zhangmutou, which was not labelled as advertising.
The station was also disciplined over a Japanese game show, Ganbare II, which showed people sticking beans up their nostrils and blowing them out.
'The act was dangerous and was likely to cause injury if imitated by children. Such programmes should not be broadcast during family viewing hours,' the authority said.
An ATV current affairs show, Hong Kong Today, received 'strong advice' over remarks about a criminal case which were considered prejudicial.