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CULTURE

Mass Media Portrayal

There are 4 active free-to-air television networks in Hong Kong. They are TVB, RTHK, HKTVE (ViuTV) and FTV (香港開電視). These 4 TV stations are the main TV stations which are able to reach the majority of audiences in Hong Kong. TVB, RTHK and FTE, these three TV stations are more traditional, especially for TVB. 

ViuTV is a comprehensive entertainment TV channel owned by Hong Kong TV Entertainment. The content of this channel put an emphasis on entertainment programs, such as reality show. The channel is quite different from its competitor TVB, it aims to capture the group of younger generation as its target audiences, thus programmes produced by the channel are more down-to-earth and open minded, numerous controversial topics are covered in its programmes, such as LGBT, sex or even sexual assault.

There are quite a number of programmes tailor made for the discussion of issues related to sex, such as <Pak Pak Partner>, <Talker: Bang Bang Channel>, <Talker: Inside Out>.

Doctors and sex therapists are invited to share their thoughts on issues related to sex as well as the usage of sex toys. Hence, the opinions and addition by professionals shed a positive light on the discussion of sex as well as the usage sex toys, this help to eliminate negative thoughts of the issue and re-establish a healthier and more positive image them. 

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TVB is the longest-standing TV station among all its competitors, the programmes produced and broadcasted by TVB are generally old-fashioned as their target audiences are senior citizens, thus, the content and issues touched upon by TVB are relatively conservative, however, in <Young And Restless> (後生仔傾吓偈), the programme has a group of target audience of youngsters.

It is surprised to see sex toy appear in one episode, although the toy only appeared in a few shots, the usage of the toy has been introduced. It is worth noticing that, the host of the programme were in quite a fuss when they saw the sex toy, they were somehow disgusted by the user of the toy and they were eager to change to other topics as they were acting awkward and embarrassed.

Audiences will probably receive the message that using sex toy is abnormal and the user of sex toy may be stigmatized. Thus, a negative image of sex toys is created by the show. 

Hong Kong CinemaIf you have watched the U.S. TV drama series <Sex and the City> or the <Fifty Shades> trio, you may find is extremely common for sex toys to appear on screen, there may be a wide range of products as well, ranging from vibrators and handcuffs to bondages and Dildo . However, it is not the case for Hong Kong, we can hardly see the usage of sex toys on screen, no matter it is a film or TV dramas, even when it comes to the plot when the actors are having intimate relationship.

There may be shots where actors are making out, however we seldom or even never see the usage of sex toys. The reason behind this may be due to the conventional mindset of Hong Kong people: people think that using sex toys with a partner is solely because you are incapable of satisfying the sexual need of one’s partner.

Thus, to uphold their ego, especially to satisfy the expectation of male audiences, sex toys barely appear on screen.  

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