A method for screening bad data columns in a data storage medium comprising a plurality of data columns includes: a) labeling or recording a plurality of bad data columns as bad data column group, wherein the bad data columns are selected from the data columns, and each bad data column group labels or records a position and a number of the bad data columns; b) determining whether at least one bad data column is not labeled or recorded; and c) if yes, labeling or recording any two bad data columns spaced apart by P data columns and the P data columns as one of the bad data column groups, wherein P is a positive integer.