On Deepavali night TV news reader sex kitten Otelli Edwards wore black prompting one Ananda Perera to write to the press asking who was she mourning for. (Actually she wore something silvery but it looked black on TV.)
Perera was Director of News, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, the predecessor of MediaCorp who is now the king of the airwaves.
He asked “Who was she mourning for on Deepavali night, the day of the festival of lights which brings scared, spiritual joy to Hindus? In my broadcasting days, we implemented a dress code that on festival nights, TV anchors must avoid wearing black and similar colors which may offend some viewers…MediaCorp must never forget that it is entering homes amid various observations of cultural festivities. Have rules been relaxed since? MediaCorp must reflect more cultural and religious sensitivity amid our multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural society. Being alert to communal sensitivities begins with little things like observing proper news anchor dress codes on festival days.”
I can’t wait for the next ethnic holiday to watch the news – expect to see news readers dressed like walking Christmas trees, that is, if MediaCorp heeds Perera’s admonition.
What next?
No wearing of white on Hari Raya?
After all white is a color of mourning for Muslims.
No reporting of bad news on ethnic holidays?
MediaCorp must never forget that it is entering homes amid various observations of cultural festivities, you know.