Sexual content on popular television programs is increasing, leading to concerns of gender inequality, a new study commissioned by the National Communications Commission (NCC) showed.
The study, conducted by Huang Wei-wei (黃葳威), a professor in the Department of Radio and Television at National Chengchi University, looked into gender issues on programs. Its conclusions include a strongly worded condemnation of prime-time programs, saying that gender discrimination is becoming a serious problem, adding that many TV stations are resorting to broadcasts of sexual crimes and scantily clad women to increase ratings.
In the study, Huang said that in programs that featured especially problematic undertones, there was prevalent use of sexual innuendo and inappropriate touching.
Here Comes Kang and Xi (康熙來了), which has received two Golden Bell Awards, was singled out for a summer beach scene in which hosts Kevin Tsai (蔡康永) and Little S (小S) discussed the breast sizes, underwear and other sexual aspects of female contestants.
Another segment featuring female models included frequent references to sexual partners by the two hosts.
Chu Ko Hui She (豬哥會社), a variety show featuring TV veteran Chu Ko-liang (豬哥亮), was also singled out as another bad example.
In an interview with model Liu Zhen (劉真), Chu reportedly said: “I think only touching her legs would cost money, while touching her upper body would not.”
TV actress Rainy Kuo (郭怡伶), who goes by the nickname Little Call, said most program participants recognize their screen time as work and are not bothered by the behavior.
She said that as long as the show included no personal attacks on her or her family, she was not bothered by it or other aspects of her job.
Huang said her research showed that the reason many young girls put up with the behavior is because they are eager for a chance to star in popular shows. She referred to the process as “sexual corruption.”
Huang said the NCC should revise its ratings systems to reflect changing realities.
“Our current television ratings system rates programs pending a specific criteria … however, many episodes that include gender discrimination do so on many levels and are not as obvious or easily seen,” Huang said.
Jason Ho (何吉森), director of the NCC’s Communication Content Department, said the commission’s ratings system was focused on specific content that included nudity.
However, he said programs deemed to contain content and dialogue that go against social norms or have a negative influence on minors could result in the program being fined.
He said that previously the NCC had handed out fines only sporadically because of the “joking nature” of the programs. In response to growing calls for gender equality, however, the NCC would start to take more serious measures, he said.
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