Cable TV operator fined for lesbian kissing ads

Agencies Posted: Apr 10, 2008 at 1259 hrs
Singapore, April 10: A Singapore cable television operator, StarHub Cable Vision (SCV) was fined USD 10,000 for showing a song commercial that depicted lesbian kissing scenes.

Singapore's government broadcasting agency, Media Development Authority (MDA) said the commercial was in breach of the advertising guidelines which disallowed advertisements that condone homosexuality.

The commercial which was to promote a song by the singer Olivia was aired on MTV Mandarin Channel on last Nov 26 and 28. MDA said in a statement that within the commercial, romanticised scenes of two girls kissing were shown and it portrayed the relationship as acceptable.

MDA consulted the Advisory Committee for Chinese Programmes and the Committee concurred that the commercial had promoted lesbianism as acceptable and romantic especially when shown together with the lyrics featured.

MDA said a financial penalty was warranted after it took into account the severity of the breach and that the commercial was aired on a youth-oriented TV channel and as well as SCV's explanation on the matter.