BBC edits out lesbian kiss from Doctor Who episode shown in Hong Kong
The BBC has been accused of overcautious self-censorship for cutting a lesbian kiss scene in the first episode of the new Doctor Who series when it premiered in Hong Kong last weekend.
The BBC has been accused of overcautious self-censorship for cutting a lesbian kiss scene in the first episode of the new series when it premiered in Hong Kong last weekend.
Thousands of fans missed out on the kiss between lizard-woman Madame Vastra and her human wife Jenny Flint, which the BBC says was cut to comply with broadcasting regulations in Asia.
Local gay-rights groups called the edit "outrageous" and "scandalous" and said it was unfair not to treat the kiss the same as a kiss between a man and a woman.
The BBC Worldwide's London-based compliance team made the cut to conform with laws against homosexuality and broadcast content codes in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
The new series of premiered in Hong Kong last Sunday night, a day after the UK showing. It went out on the BBC Entertainment channel, which broadcasts as a subscription channel on PCCW's NOW TV.
Viewers in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore watched the same censored version.
PR professional Betty Grisoni, who founded the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organisation Les Peches with her partner Abby Lee in Hong Kong, said it was likely the cut had been made with countries like Malaysia and Singapore in mind, rather than Hong Kong.
