Binay on PBB ‘nude’ challenge: How far can reality shows go for ratings?

Senator Nancy Binay INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Nancy Binay has joined calls to look into the controversial nude challenge of ABC-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) “All-In Edition,” calling the challenge an “irresponsible and insensitive act bordering on blackmail.”

Binay said she would file a resolution on the issue within the week, urging the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to look into possible “ethical breach” committed by PBB “All-In Edition” in its June 4 episode, and the “inappropriate challenge” asked by “Big Brother (Kuya)” to 23-year-old housemate Jayme Jalandoni to pose nude for a painting-for-charity.

“This might be a reality show but its contestants, especially its female housemates, should be accorded with respect without compromising their dignity and their rights as women,” she said in a statement on Monday.

She said the MTRCB should review the PBB’s rule book and the Code of Conduct and the Ethical Standards that govern the Endemol franchise.

“I believe this is the second time PBB went overboard. How far can reality TV go for high ratings? Will we allow the network to exploit our women and children for ratings sake?” asked Binay.

She noted that in 2009, PBB was also in a similar “morality and decency” issue in its “Naked Fan Dance” challenge where the housemates were made to wear flimsy underwear to cover their private parts.

The senator then urged the MTRCB to also look into the policies of ABS-CBN and Endemol when it comes to challenges and tasks that she said “potentially violate the housemates’ rights and dignity, as well as those that challenge one’s faith, corrupt Filipino values, or degrade cultural mores.”

“Did Endemol and ABS-CBN go out of line with this particular challenge? Hanggang saan po ba ang pwedeng ipagawa ni Kuya sa mga housemates at parang pati dangal nila ay kailangang isakripisyo (Up to what extent can ‘Kuya’ challenge the housemates that it seems that even their dignity is being sacrificed)?” she asked.

“All the tasks and challenges are part of the script which are approved by the PBB Management prior to execution. The responsibility does not solely fall on Kuya’s lap—kasama sa daloy ng script ang management at buong production team (the management and the entire production team are aware of the script’s flow).”

Binay said the PBB’s nude challenge to housemates was not to test one’s character “rather an irresponsible and insensitive act bordering on blackmail.”

“Housemates give their blind trust to Kuya. The PBB Management should be sensitive when it comes to faith, ethnicity and morality. Tumanggi na si Jayme dahil ito ay labag sa kanyang paniniwala at sa tingin niya ay mababastos siya… dapat noon pa lang, na-realize na ni Kuya na may mali sa challenge na ito,” she further said.

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