Reality TV: Temptation Island Controversy In January 2001, religious and conservative pressure groups in America, Europe, Australia and Asia protested strongly against the airing of Temptation Island, a reality TV show produced by American media house, Fox TV. Designed as a test of fidelity, Temptation Island’s producers place four unmarried but committed coupled with 26 singles on an island. The couples’ fidelity are put to the test, as the single try to entice them into being unfaithful to their partners. At the end of the series, whoever succeeds in remaining faithful is then declared the winner. Worldwide critics the show demanded a ban on the grounds that it endangered the relationship between the participating couples and promoted illicit sex. “Even the trailers for the show were enough to upset conservative organizations and various religious group,” remarked Randall Murphree, a spokeman for the American Family Association. Activist campaigned, publicizing the advertisers’ identity in their campaigns and encouraged the public to compel the advertisers to boycott the show. The authorities of Fox TV argued that the focus of Temptation Island was on exploring the dynamics of serious relationships, not sex. However, the fact that Fox TV screened all participating contestants of the show for sexually transmitted diseases weakened its arguments. Many family associations accused Fox TV of capitalizing on the entertainment value of infidelity and sex. The controversy escalated when it was discovered that one of the four couples were parents to an infant son. Fox TV authorities pleaded ignorance and removed the couple from the series, but protesters argued that they could have broken up a family. Melissa Caldwell of Parents Television Council, a division of Media Research Centre, said, “I think a lot of people are appalled at the concept of trying to break relationships for the purpose of entertaining millions of viewers.” Brent Bozell, founder of the Parents Television Council pressure group, said the show was a new low for the American entertainment industry. Temptation Island attracted similar reactions in other countries, especially in conservative countries such as Japan, Taiwan and India. In Taiwan, the show was scrapped even before a single episode was aired. In India, although the show was aired, it faced severe opposition and the STAR TV network had to cancel the idea of making an Indian version of the show. QUESTIONS. 1. Highlight any three ethical issues in the above case. 2. Several Asian countries decided to ban Temptation Island from being shown on television. Apply the Utilitarian, Kantian and Virtue Ethics theories to evaluate and justify whether the act of banning is a rightful action. 3. In Question 2, is the act of banning justified from the perspective of Theory of Justice and Rights principles? Discuss.
Reality TV: Temptation Island Controversy
In January 2001, religious and conservative pressure groups in America, Europe, Australia and Asia protested strongly against the airing of Temptation Island, a reality TV show produced by American media house, Fox TV.
Designed as a test of fidelity, Temptation Island’s producers place four unmarried but committed coupled with 26 singles on an island. The couples’ fidelity are put to the test, as the single try to entice them into being unfaithful to their partners. At the end of the series, whoever succeeds in remaining faithful is then declared the winner.
Worldwide critics the show demanded a ban on the grounds that it endangered the relationship between the participating couples and promoted illicit sex. “Even the trailers for the show were enough to upset conservative organizations and various religious group,” remarked Randall Murphree, a spokeman for the American Family Association. Activist campaigned, publicizing the advertisers’ identity in their campaigns and encouraged the public to compel the advertisers to boycott the show.
The authorities of Fox TV argued that the focus of Temptation Island was on exploring the dynamics of serious relationships, not sex. However, the fact that Fox TV screened all participating contestants of the show for sexually transmitted diseases weakened its arguments. Many family associations accused Fox TV of capitalizing on the entertainment value of infidelity and sex. The controversy escalated when it was discovered that one of the four couples were parents to an infant son.
Fox TV authorities pleaded ignorance and removed the couple from the series, but protesters argued that they could have broken up a family. Melissa Caldwell of Parents Television Council, a division of Media Research Centre, said, “I think a lot of people are appalled at the concept of trying to break relationships for the purpose of entertaining millions of viewers.” Brent Bozell, founder of the Parents Television Council pressure group, said the show was a new low for the American entertainment industry.
Temptation Island attracted similar reactions in other countries, especially in conservative countries such as Japan, Taiwan and India. In Taiwan, the show was scrapped even before a single episode was aired. In India, although the show was aired, it faced severe opposition and the STAR TV network had to cancel the idea of making an Indian version of the show.
QUESTIONS.
1. Highlight any three ethical issues in the above case.
2. Several Asian countries decided to ban Temptation Island from being shown on television. Apply the Utilitarian, Kantian and Virtue Ethics theories to evaluate and justify whether the act of banning is a rightful action.
3. In Question 2, is the act of banning justified from the perspective of Theory of Justice and Rights principles? Discuss.
4. Is Temptation Island promoting social justice? Justify your answer.
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