The Queer Librarian: News, Information, Resources

The Straits Times Forum, Feb 27, 2009

I THANK Miss Pamela Koh for her online letter on Thursday, 'Oscars TV cut: First you see it, then you don't', on the encore telecast of the 81st Annual Academy Awards aired on Monday.

We wish to clarify that the programme was edited for the encore telecast in accordance to the Media Development Authority (MDA) Programme Code - specifically, the relevant guidelines relating to the treatment and portrayal of homosexual themes and issues. The code explicitly disallows content that sympathises with, promotes or normalises such a lifestyle from being broadcast.

Dustin Lance Black, whose script for Milk won the award for original screenplay, and Sean Penn who played the slain gay rights leader in the same movie, both made a passionate plea for same-sex marriage rights in their acceptance speeches. The encore telecast of the 81st Annual Academy Awards on Channel 5 would have been in serious breach of the MDA Programme Code if such controversial content was not editorially managed.

We thank Miss Koh for the opportunity to clarify on her concerns.

David Christie
Senior Manager (Censorship)
Network Programming & Promotions Channel 5
MediaCorp

Source: The Straits Times
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