The Canadian Press: Singapore fines cable TV operator for showing commercial with lesbians kissing (April 9)

Singapore fines cable TV operator for showing commercial with lesbians kissing

Apr 9, 2008

SINGAPORE — Singapore's cable television operator has been fined for airing a commercial that showed lesbians kissing.

The Media Development Authority says in a statement on its website that it has fined StarHub Cable Vision $7,200 for airing the commercial in November.

The commercial, which was to promote a song by Mandarin pop singer Olivia Yan, was aired on MTV's Mandarin-language channel, the media regulator said.

The statement says that romanticized scenes of two girls kissing, calling it "a breach of the TV advertising guidelines, which disallows advertisements that condone homosexuality."

StarHub Cable Vision expressed disappointment at the authority's decision to impose a fine but said it would follow broadcasting rules.

Under Singapore law, gay sex is deemed "an act of gross indecency," punishable by a maximum of two years in jail.

Despite the official ban on gay sex, there have been few prosecutions.