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Petition to get Adam Lambert out of countdown

SINGAPORE — A petition has been launched online for MediaCorp to remove singer-songwriter Adam Lambert from its star-studded show to usher in the new year.

Adam Lambert. Reuters file photo

Adam Lambert. Reuters file photo

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SINGAPORE — A petition has been launched online for MediaCorp to remove singer-songwriter Adam Lambert from its star-studded show to usher in the new year.

The petition was started yesterday (Nov 25). As of time of writing, it has garnered more than 7,400 signatures.

It describes the American singer, who is known for his provocative stage performances,  as “a performer fraught with controversy even in his home country”. 

To be aired on Dec 31, the countdown show, Celebrate 2016, will be held at the The Float @ Marina Bay. Apart from Mr Lambert, who held a concert at the Star Theatre here in 2013, the show will also feature performances by Singapore acts such as THELIONCITYBOY, Nat Ho and Fauzie Laily.

Commenting on the online petition, Ms Debra Soon, head of MediaCorp’s Family (English) and Premier Segments, said: “Celebrate 2016 will be suitable for family audiences and conform with broadcast regulations.”

The Media Development Authority also responded to TODAY’s queries, reiterating that “free-to-air broadcasters have to ensure that their programmes comply with the Free-To-Air TV Programme Code”. 

Among other things, the code states that  “programmes over  free-to-air  television  must at all times maintain a standard that is acceptable to the community”. 

Programmes rated up to PG13 are also allowed for broadcast on free-to-air television.

Citing Lambert’s controversial performance during the American Music Awards in 2009, the organisers of the petition said: “Adam Lambert is hardly the kind of performer to send off our historic Jubilee Year or to usher in the New Year. His track record displays a flagrant disregard for the sensitivities of his audience — including whether or not children are watching.”

Describing the countdown show as Singapore’s annual iconic, public event, they added: “Singaporeans can enjoy a good show without their consciences being affronted by lewd acts in the name of entertainment. In addition, a simple online search would reveal that he is well-known for his active promotion of a highly sexualised lifestyle and LGBT rights, both of which are contrary to mainstream Singaporean values.”

The petition has been addressed to several parties, including MediaCorp, the Singapore Government, Ms Grace Fu, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and  Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.
Focus on the Family, a charity organisation, has expressed support for the online campaign in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile a counter petition has been launched to keep Adam Lambert's performance in Singapore. At 11.20pm today, within less than two hours of its creation, the petition had received over 260 signatures.

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