On September 18, 2012, the state-sponsored People's Daily reported:
A few days ago Internet users erupted with news that the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television had issued a notice that television stations must not broadcast any television programs or cartoons relating to Japan, or any film or television productions involving Japanese actors, and that over ten television shows about opposing Japan including "Bright Sword," "Brutal Flower," and "Tunnel Warfare" had therefore been banned. Yesterday a knowledgable person said that SARFT had merely verbally notified television stations not to broadcast any Japanese television shows, cartoons, or artistic programs, and had not in fact made any specific demands about shows about opposing Japan.
日前有网友爆料称，广电总局下发新通知，电视台不得播放任何和日本相关的电视剧、卡通片，有日本演员参演的影视作品也在此之列，包括《亮剑》、《狼毒花》、《地道战》在内的十余部抗日题材的电视剧也因此遭禁播。昨日有知情人表示，广电总局只是口头通知各电视台不要播出日本电视剧、卡通、综艺节目，并未对抗日剧有明确的要求。
