SEXIN MEDIA

by PRAVAT J GURUNG & MALIN GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 156 (December 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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People turn to different forms of media to know about the day to day happenings in their society. Many look at it as the moral police to alert and question people about their behavior. As a result many seem to question the sudden use of sex to grab the attention of people in media. There is no denying that sex sells. So what is wrong when sex is manipulated to sell products, television shows, movies and everything else? Is media hyping it too much or is sex such a hush-hush topic that we can't talk about it openly even in the 21st century? This month WAVE talks about the advent of sex in media and its actual ramifications especially among young minds. Lets hear what the participants had to say.

Participants:
1. Ashim Thapa, Student
2. Suresh Limbu, RJ & Student
3. Shishir Rana, Student
4. Shankar Adhikari, Student
5. Ongel Sherpa, Student

IMAGES: ANUP PRAKASH ONGEL

What do you think of manipulation of sex to sell products and attract customers?
Ongel: It is a proven fact that sex sells but I think it should be balanced.
Suresh: Exactly, one should not cross the line but then when you have sensual adverts, its
eye-candy and catchy. We all know that sex sells, so the sales are bound to go up when you have something 'hot' in your ads.
Shishir: I second Suresh and believe that sex sells. But there should be a balance so that it doesn't look vulgar. Sexual adverts leaves a mark in peoples mind and bring the products into the spotlight.
Ashim: Compared to the international advertisements Nepal's ads are nothing and I think it's perfectly fine to sell products by making advertisements a bit sensual. But there should be a limitation.
Shankar: I disagree. I don't think we need sensual ads or references in media to make us buy products or attract viewers or readers. I think by doing that women are being exploited which is wrong.

ASHIM

Do you think sex is glamorized in movies and television?
Suresh: Absolutely like how John Abraham has revealed in Dostana. That's all to attract people.
Ongel: I think that's why Bollywood movies have item numbers. Why do you think Rakhi Sawant is so famous?
Ashim: Come to think of it that's why their budget for one item song is well over than that of a whole Nepali movie.
Shankar: Even Kagbeni had a sensual thing happening which was completely not needed and so was the case in Sano Sansar.
Shishir: Exactly. I mean, they can have it in their script if it's really needed but there is a certain way of portraying it and that is by not being vulgar.

SHANKAR SHANKAR

Why do you think sex is such a taboo subject in Nepal?
Ashim: I think it's because everyone is conservative here because of the way we have been brought up.
Suresh: I too think it is because everyone is so traditional here. When one talks about sex or anything related to it, people give us negative vibes.
Shishir: It hasn't been long since the sexual revolution began but it has taken many countries in its grasp. But looking at things, it will take its own sweet time to change the Nepali mentality.
Ongel: Culture is the main thing. We are brought up in such a way that we won't and don't want to talk about it openly. But it's all changing.
Shankar: That's the thing, if we all had talked about it openly, maybe what is being portrayed in media today wouldn't be so attractive to us. It is natural to talk about it.

SHISHIR SHISHIR

Should there be a regulatory body to control sex in media?
Shankar: Of course, restrictions should be implemented. The government needs to put up a censor board or something. The government needs to be more serious as the media has strong power to change people's perception.
Ashim: I agree. Some ads are banned even in foreign countries. So we too should have a regulatory body to take care of it. It's the government's responsibility towards society.
Ongel: A borderline should always be drawn I think. How much is too much is the question here.
Shishir: Yes, there should be. TV shows, ads or even music videos with more sexual content could be moved to a late time slot. It needs to be checked.
Suresh: Exactly! Someone needs to draw a line so everyone can follow.

SURESH SURESH

Would you blame media for corrupting young people?
Ashim: I don't think media is particularly corrupting young minds. I mean what more could it do. Everybody knows about sex even if they deny it.
Shishir: It all depends upon the perception of people. The same thing can be vulgar to some but may be sensual to others. But there is a fine line like always.
Suresh: Yes, I also believe it depends on people's perception, and I also think that people should have a broader mind.
Ongel: In some way yes, but in most ways no – media isn't solely responsible for corrupting young minds. The way these kids are brought up and their surroundings also make a huge impact.
Shankar: Yes, it definitely should take the blame. It is because of the advent of sex in media that things like rapes and molestations are taking place.

What role should the media play in all this? Any suggestions?
Ongel:  The best thing media houses can do is that they themselves can act as a censor board and sort out the content before publishing or broadcasting it.
Suresh: I firmly believe that media should be liberal and open-minded. But then, yes it should balance out the act and be more responsible towards society.
Ashim: This kind of things happen because we are in a rapidly transitional phase. I think people alongwith the media houses should have a broader perspective of things.
Shishir: It is almost impossible to take out sex from people's mind. More than the media houses the people themselves should be morally and socially responsible. But media can also do its bit by checking it.