M’sia Authorities Request Home Shopping Programmes to Stop Showing Underwear

I’m sure most of us have heard of home shopping programmes. Some of us come across it because we simply have nothing better to watch, while some of us watch it because we are genuinely interested in some products that are “bound to change your lives once you’ve gotten them”.

These programmes often sell a variety of items, and they can range from cooking equipment, exercising tools, to even clothes.

However, one particular category of items has caught the attention of Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board (LPF), and it’s not the good kind.

M’sia Authorities Request Home Shopping Programmes to Stop Showing Underwear

According to Malay Mail, the LPF has asked two broadcasters to stop showcasing undergarments for both men and women in their home shopping programmes through a letter addressed to them.

The undergarments that were shown on the home shopping programmes included men’s briefs, women’s panties and bras, as well as body shapers.

It was also noted that the undergarments were not modelled on live models, but were instead placed either on racks or on mannequins. Despite this, the board felt that the exhibition of these items was obscene and offensive to the community. Furthermore, the exhibition did not adhere to the board’s guidelines and code of conduct.

Important to Preserve Decency

According to the letter written by the LPF as revealed by Malay Mail, there is a strong need to “preserve manners, decency, and the sensitivities of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society in Malaysia”.

As such, in order to do so, all broadcasts of similar nature “should be discontinued immediately” as the content of advertising innerwear “is inappropriate to be shown for general viewing”.

The board also said that it was important for all filmed shows and public content to first seek approval from the board before they can be made available to the public. This is in accordance with the Film Censorship Guidelines 2010 (GPPD 2010) Article 1 of Section III regarding film advertisements.

While the LPF has said that the exhibitions were obscene, Malay Mail noted that there were actually no complaints lodged to Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF), one of Malaysia’s content regulators.

Nonetheless, both broadcasters have acknowledged that the board’s request and have removed the aforementioned segments.

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