Hitz FM apologises for 'transphobic' video
Thursday, 21 Sep 20173:38 PM MYT
A screengrab of the video
PETALING JAYA: Radio station Hitz FM has apologised for a video that was deemed “transphobic” and discriminatory by the public.
The radio station uploaded a 22-second sketch on its Facebook page on Wednesday, depicting two of its “morning crew” – deejays Ryan De Alwis, better known as RD, and Arnold Loh – checking out a woman walking past them.
However, when RD approaches the woman and she turns around, both RD and Arnold start vomiting at the sight of her – because the woman in the video is a transgender person.
Hitz captioned the video that has since been removed as: “When a pretty girl turns out to be a guy. Have you ever been so startled that you feel like throwing up?”
Hitz has removed the video from its Facebook page after receiving negative feedback from the public.
“We at Hitz would like to apologise for the said video, and have since removed it. Thank you,” Hitz told The Star on Thursday.
Malaysian transgender rights advocate Nisha Ayub criticised the radio station, saying that the video encourages transphobia.
“Shame on you Hitz Fm. Are you guys transphobia (sic)? Are you guys encouraging bullying and hatred to people that has different gender identity or expression,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Nisha said that the transgender community in Malaysia has faced much discrimination, and has even faced violence and been the victims of hate crime.
“But yet we have media that actually perpetuate such degrading messages of the community to the general public,” she said.
Commenting on the DJs vomiting at the sight of a transgender person, Nisha said she felt “disgusted” by such mentality.
“What kind of message are you trying to portray to the public? Are you saying it’s okay for you perfect people to degrade others?” she said.
“It could be a joke to you, but your joke could also effect someone’s life too,” she added.
When contacted, DJ Arnold said that he was “not allowed to comment” on the matter, while RD has yet to respond as at press time.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/09/21/hitz-fm-apology-over-transphobic-video/#AtsY6yPsVjP9oClk.99
