Credit: themalaymailonline.com
A Universitiy Kebangsaan Malaysia’s lecturer has lambasted television stations, saying they should be more responsible in airing programmes that show ‘unscrupulous’ content and promote inverse practices such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cultures (LGBTQ).
UKM Family, Women and Community Law lecturer Prof Datuk Noor Azizah Mohd Awal said this in reaction to content that has recently went viral amongst Malaysia netizens on the application WhatsApp.
‘Loud House’, the TV programme in question Credit: towleroad.com
It claimed that there was a cartoon that aired overseas via a local paid television programme that promoted LGBT culture by featuring the life of a married gay couple and their child. Noor Azizah said action must be taken to quickly withdraw such a programme if allegations indeed proved to be true.
“This allegation must be taken seriously as we do not want things like this to turn into a cancer by damaging the moral and personality of people in the country, especially young children,” she said.
Noor Azizah strongly mentioned that television stations should conduct constant censorship and monitoring against programmes that contain ‘obscene’ elements like abusive language. They should be aware and sensitive of local culture and not air content against it.
Credit: ukm.my
“More importantly when it involves shows like cartoons which will definitely be watched by children as they are very susceptible to negative elements, especially when they watch (such programmes) without adult supervision.”
“It is feared that it might give implications on children’s thinking, behaviour and emotions who are exposed to programmes with such elements,” she said when contacted by Bernama here today.
In response to Bernama, Adeline Ong, Asia Viacom International Media Networks’ senior director, corporate and brand communications, has clarified on the matter.
“Nickelodeon would like to clarify that an episode of Loud House featuring same sex marriage will not be aired in Malaysia.
“As a global brand entertaining audiences around the world, Nickelodeon strives to ensure that content respects the varying traditions and family values in each country, and acknowledges that on-air content can differ from country to country due to these considerations,” she said.
Loud House has been recently lauded for featuring it’s first ever bi-racial gay couple on the cartoon, who are seen dropping off their son at a slumber party. Response on mainstream social media had been overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds taking to sites like Twitter to express their delight.
Well, overwhelmingly positive response from most until now…
