A kiss between local actresses Vivian Lai and Kate Pang during Sunday's live telecast of the Star Awards Show 2 drew strong reactions from offended viewers and caught the attention of MDA, who is investigating the matter.
According to a news report, when actress-host Vivian Lai was announced as one of the Top 10 Most Female Artistes, she stood up and turned to hug then kiss Kate Pang on the lips.
STOMPer Decaf wrote:
"I think the kiss was no big deal. There are far more disturbing things shown on cable TV these days.
"I think the actresses were probably doing it to get attention. And they certainly achieved that goal since they made headlines."
Unlike the STOMPer, some viewers were so disturbed by the kiss, they called Lianhe Wanbao's hotline to complain about the matter.
The Media Development Authority (MDA) is investigating the incident to see if it breached its content guideline. A spokesperson for the MDA said: "Free-to-air broadcasters are expected to adhere to the free-to-air TV programme code. MDA is currently looking into this to see if there is any breach of our content guidelines.
The TV programme code includes the following guidelines under the section on public morals and social values: Information, themes or subplots on lifestyles such as homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexualism, transsexualism, transvestism, paedophilia and incest should be treated with utmost caution. Their treatment should not in any way promote, justify or glamorise such lifestyles. Explicit depictions of the above should not be broadcast.
36-year-old Vivian Lai thinks the matter was blown out of proportion. She said: "I kissed (Pang) to show my joy... It was a natural reaction." The two women are close friends who often hang out together. Lai, who is married with two children, says she cares for Pang like she would a younger sister.
Pang said: "I feel that as long as you love someone, you can kiss that person, regardless of whether it's a man or a woman."
Public displays of affection aside, this year's Star Awards also raised eyebrows due to the skimpy outfits on display, as well as numerous fashion fails amongst the stars.
According to a news report, when actress-host Vivian Lai was announced as one of the Top 10 Most Female Artistes, she stood up and turned to hug then kiss Kate Pang on the lips.
STOMPer Decaf wrote:
"I think the kiss was no big deal. There are far more disturbing things shown on cable TV these days.
"I think the actresses were probably doing it to get attention. And they certainly achieved that goal since they made headlines."
Unlike the STOMPer, some viewers were so disturbed by the kiss, they called Lianhe Wanbao's hotline to complain about the matter.
The Media Development Authority (MDA) is investigating the incident to see if it breached its content guideline. A spokesperson for the MDA said: "Free-to-air broadcasters are expected to adhere to the free-to-air TV programme code. MDA is currently looking into this to see if there is any breach of our content guidelines.
The TV programme code includes the following guidelines under the section on public morals and social values: Information, themes or subplots on lifestyles such as homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexualism, transsexualism, transvestism, paedophilia and incest should be treated with utmost caution. Their treatment should not in any way promote, justify or glamorise such lifestyles. Explicit depictions of the above should not be broadcast.
36-year-old Vivian Lai thinks the matter was blown out of proportion. She said: "I kissed (Pang) to show my joy... It was a natural reaction." The two women are close friends who often hang out together. Lai, who is married with two children, says she cares for Pang like she would a younger sister.
Pang said: "I feel that as long as you love someone, you can kiss that person, regardless of whether it's a man or a woman."
Public displays of affection aside, this year's Star Awards also raised eyebrows due to the skimpy outfits on display, as well as numerous fashion fails amongst the stars.
