GMM 25, the channel that broadcasts the popular TV series, “Club Friday to be Continued,” was fined THB50,000 yesterday for featuring violent scenes against women on the show.
The members of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) came to the conclusion, in a meeting yesterday, that the TV series violated Section 37 of the Broadcasting Act by showing inappropriate content that is against the code of moral conduct.
The particular scenes, which sparked controversy online, included a rape scene against a female villain that included three other characters watching and taking a video. Another scene featured the same woman having her face forced against a motorcycle’s exhaust pipe, causing her to become deformed.
The two scenes were from the episode entitled “Puen Rak, Puen Rai” (translated to “Best Friends, Bad Friends”), which aired in May.
Supinya Klangnarong, a member of NBC and a Thai media rights advocate, tweeted her opinion regarding the controversial TV series, the content of which is adapted from true stories people call in and share on a radio program hosted by two famous DJs, Chod and Aoy.
“This is just my personal opinion, but if DJs Chod and Aoy want to create controversial TV soaps, try new ideas like showing women with self-esteem and self-respect,” Supinya tweeted.
“Women slap each other over a man, get skinny and white for a man, get big boobs for a man, get revenge over a man, and tolerate a man. These are how women are represented in TV soaps, media and commercials in Thailand,” she wrote.
“The thing that many Thai women lack is self-esteem, mental stability and confidence in who they are. The media plays a role in creating and destroying those qualities,” she added.
Supinya nailed it.
The NBC has also adjusted the rating of the popular series from “suitable for all ages” to “not suitable for audiences under 18 years old.”
GMM 25 may rerun the series, which usually airs at 8pm, at other times, but they must cut the scenes that may be inappropriate for young audience, Post Today reported.
Related:
Rape-tainment: Officials seek punishment against ‘Club Friday’ TV soap for violent scenes
Rape Culture: From the Ramakien to the Railway, we’re all to blame
After year of the rape, media still glamorizes it
Leave the bikini alone: Feminism fire lit in Bangkok by UN Women’s film fest
