Wednesday 7 January, 2009Polish TV scrubs up for company

When Pope Benedict XVI visits Poland for four days in May, censors will have purged all TV screens of anything that might smack of sex—or any other "vulgarity." That includes advertisements for underwear, personal hygiene products, and beer; raunchy soap operas; and condom promotions.

According to Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, the state-run television network, TVP, is determined to eliminate anything that might distract viewers' attention from coverage of the pontiff's stay. The network has already squelched a commercial for a soccer championship, which showed a man and woman having sexual intercourse. All programming during the visit will be reviewed by a commission made up of Catholic journalists, who are set to start work on May 15, ten days before the pope's arrival.

Wonder if the pope watches TV?