HONG KONG – Singapore regulators have fined state TV broadcaster MediaCorp TV Channel 5 for promoting homosexuality.

Breach of the Free-to-Air TV Programme Code occurred in a Jan 13 episode of home decorating series "Find and Design." It was found to have normalized and promoted a gay lifestyle. The Media Development Authority imposed a fine of S$15,000 ($11,040) and said that this was a repeat offense for Channel 5.

Singapore's Programme Advisory Committee for English Programmes (PACE) said that "a gay relationship should not be presented as an acceptable family unit," and noted that show was aired on a Sunday morning.

Earlier this month the MDA fined pay-TV operator Starhub ($7,200) for a commercial on MTV Mandarin Channel that included "romanticized scenes of two girls kissing (and which) portrayed the relationship as acceptable."

Under Singapore law, gay sex is deemed "an act of gross indecency,'' punishable with a maximum of two years in jail.

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