Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

登入

记住我

初到 Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

新闻&特写

« 较新的 | 较旧的 »
26 Feb 2016

Singapore censors Obama's LGBT remarks on Ellen DeGeneres

Online controversy has been sparked by the censorship of American President Barack Obama's pro-LGBT comments in an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that aired on Singapore TV.

In a special Valentine's Day episode of the Ellen DeGeneres Show with US President Barack Obama made a number of pro-LGBT comments. It was broadcast in the US on February 12. On February 23 it aired on Singapore Mediacorp's Channel 5, with the segment including his comments on LGBT removed.

In the section removed, Obama comments: "As much as we've done with laws and ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', et cetera, changing hearts and minds - I don't think anybody has been more influential than you on that."

He says to the US host, who is an LGBT ambassador, "You being willing to claim who you were, that suddenly empowers other people. And then suddenly, it's your brother, it's your uncle, it's your best friend, it's your co-workers. And then attitudes shift. And the law is followed, but it started with folks like you. I'm so proud of you."

The fact that the Singapore version of the episode had been doctored was quickly seized upon by netizens.

Pink Dot Singapore, which organizes an annual event to support LGBT equality, shared a video clip of the interview with President Obama on the Ellen Show on its Facebook page.

They said "Because of local regulations which prohibit the positive portrayal of LGBTs in Singapore, clips such as these are routinely censored. This is unfortunate because it deprives the average Singaporean of opportunities to understand and discuss LGBT issues. If it is indeed true that President Obama‘s words were censored, it is another lost opportunity to engaging with the public on the misconceptions surrounding LGBT people."

Mr Lee Hung Sheng, assistant vice-president of programming for Mediacorp Channel 5, told The Straits Times that the American leader's speech was cut.

He said: "In compliance with Singapore's Free-To-Air TV programme guidelines, the brief segment on Obama's firm endorsement and support of gay rights issues was edited out for our broadcast on Channel 5.

"The removal of the segment did not pose any continuity issues with our televised programme."

Channel 5 and other TV channels in Singapore were previously fined up to S$15,000 (US$10,600) for broadcasting LGBT-related content.

Watch the censored section of the interview below:

 

读者回应

1. 2016-02-27 05:38  
So
Usually they air Ellen unedited?

Showing Ellen at all must mean viewers all know she is gay. Or does the show last 3 mins? She ain't quiet about it is she.

But hey, never waste a chance to be offended.

I'm deeply offended that pan sexuals were missed out in this article again. I guess I'll live :)
2. 2016-02-27 11:06  
When it comes to bashing LGBT, Singapore is at its best in the region. The country is very wealthy but lack of heart and compassion and that's why I try to avoid this place at all costs.
3. 2016-02-27 23:04  
Indeed, I am very ashamed that this is happening to my country, the govt of which listens more to loudmouth homophobes & ultra-conservative elements that claim to be pro-family & patriotic & upholding "Asian" values.
4. 2016-02-28 01:18  
And the strangest thing is that S'pore is one of the gayest places in the world.
5. 2016-02-28 02:58  
Yup, lots of Hypocritical Bigot countries incl. Singapore
Shame on you Singapore!
6. 2016-02-28 06:46  
Netizens complained, yet they could still find the content in full, the same as all other episodes that are edited.

Netizen always seemed a quite horrid word to me but I now realise it's not meant to define casual internet users but those that live their entire lives on the net.
7. 2016-02-28 11:11  
LOL Ellen does really know how to use humor to fend off any uncomfortable emotions.
8. 2016-02-28 13:08  
i just love eleen shows
9. 2016-02-28 16:55  
Surely it's hypocritical to even screen Ellen's show at all? Come on Singapore, it's 2016. The world has moved on. Being gay is just as much an "Asian value" as anything else. In fact the anti-gay slant in Singapore laws is NOT Asian - it's Victorian British.
10. 2016-02-28 17:59  
Well, it is the further step not to have to justify gay lifestyles that will make everyone equal the world over.

I can see many gays, especially activists, not giving a damn if a straight youth was pressured into a gay encounter.

As the internet now exists, why can't tv channels follow watersheds?

Btw you can get gay content on the internet. Honest. Lots of it.
11. 2016-02-29 11:25  
I applaud President Obama for taking a positive stand on gay rights and verbally endorsing the LGBT community whenever he can. I just wish the rest of the countries that aren't LGBT Positive get their head out of the past and look toward the future. God with still love them if they do....trust me.
12. 2016-02-29 15:08  
"God with still love them if they do....trust me."

Nah, we can't trust you. There is no God. Wise up.

Equality is all I expect.
13. 2016-06-02 04:06  
As a Singaporean, I know full well, and seen for myself how our government always had, and always will be, pandering to religious groups. Be it Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu etc (Singapore is. multi-religious, and religious identity is strongly tied to race or ethnic groups).

On the other hand though, they recognize the importance for the city to remain cosmopolitan to attract investment & capital. And they know full well the consequences of completely shunning the gay community, as their immediate neighbours have foolishly done. So in order to continue attracting high-level investors and talent, without offending the religious narcissists, some sort of 'balance' is struck. Eg: Ellen on TV, Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga concerts,etc...but on the other hand, with censors all-too-happy to wield their scissors on the grounds of 'objectionable content'.
In short, they want to have their cake and eat it,too.

I for one, will not be trusting that they've got my back...they will probably stab it as soon as the pink dollars are milked dry.
修改於2016-06-02 04:07:37

请先登入再使用此功能。

请选择新闻及专栏版本

精选个人档案

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

赞好

合作伙伴

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement