Over the weekend two "back dancers" dropped their pants and exposed themselves on a live Munhwa Broadcasting (MBC) music show. It is even more shocking for having taken place at a time of day when the more young people watch television than at any other time. Naturally there will have to be suitable punishment, but the event is also a good opportunity for those in the popular arts and broadcasting to think about the limits to "freedom of expression."
The men who exposed their genitalia say they did not intend to do anything they do not do for other performances. Whether that is true or not aside, you cannot permit that kind of commercialization of sex even in performances for specific individuals. On television broadcasts you have to avoid making anyone, even if only some people, seriously uncomfortable, and especially in public space that is more accessible, artistic expression has to be restrained. It is precisely for that reason that the US Federal Communications Commission issued strong measures against those responsible when Janet Jackson's breast got exposed during the halftime entertainment during the 2004 Super Bowl.
MBC's share of the responsibility is a large one. Reportedly the particular section was about introducing independent bands recommended by popular music experts, since such bands have a hard time getting exposure on the regular airwaves. That is a good goal, but what happened would not have happened had the participants been given the most basic education about broadcasting ethics. MBC has already issued an apology and canceled the program, but what is more important is that similar accidents do not happen again.
Last week the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) showed sitcom in which a woman slapped her mother-in-law in the face. As competition intensifies popular music performances and television programs are using increasingly sensational tactics. Those in the industry need to give a serious look at whether this most recent incident was not an accident, whether it happened in the context of that kind of competition.
The Hankyoreh, 1 August 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] The Limits of 'Freedom of Expression' |
