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Norwegian reality show introduces sexual consent rule for contestants

The latest series of Paradise Hotel in Norway has introduced an on-screen consent requirement for contestants planning on having sexual contact following allegations of abuse on the Swedish version of the show.

Norwegian reality show introduces sexual consent rule for contestants
The show has introduced on-screen consent requirements. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Contestants in the latest series of Paradise Hotel, which aired on Monday night, will require contestants to demonstrate on-screen with a thumbs up to the camera that they consent to any sexual activity.

“We were told from day one that if we were to have sex, we had to consent with a thumbs up to the camera from both parties,” Stian Trulsen, a contestant on the hit reality series, told newspaper VG

Earlier this year, it was alleged that a male contestant abused two female participants on the Swedish edition of the show. Swedish prosecuting authorities are investigating the alleged abuse. 

Christian Meinseth, program manager for production company Nent which makes the show, said the new rules weren’t directly introduced because of what happened on the Swedish programme. 

“No, but we have, of course, worked with the series and looked at our practices around the format, so we ensure that Paradise Hotel is both a good watch and fun to be a participant in,” Meinseth told VG. 

“We are very concerned about the participants’ safety, and we have not had any challenges around the new rules,” Meinseth added. 

The program manager added that the production company wanted the show to reflect a more modern approach to sex. 

“At the same time, we are also careful to monitor language use and how the participants describe each other. Everyone should show respect for each other, and there will be more focus on the game itself. Viewers can look forward to an exciting and entertaining season,” he said. 

The 15th season of the show, which has been on Norwegian tv screens since 2009, will also include a “paradise talents” week where there is a focus on inner values as part of several on-screen and off-screen measures to try and promote more healthy sexual relationships.

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GENDER EQUALITY

Italian TV show investigated after outrage over ‘sexy shopping’ tutorial

Italian state broadcaster Rai has opened an investigation into why one of its shows on Tuesday offered female viewers advice on how to look sexy while shopping in the supermarket.

Italian TV show investigated after outrage over 'sexy shopping' tutorial
A show on Italian public television advised women on how to be seductive at the supermarket. Screenshot: Detto Fatto, Rai 2.
Viewers took to social media to express their anger and disbelief after the “Detto Fatto” show on Rai offered a tutorial on pushing a supermarket trolley while wearing high heels, instructed women on the most “sensual” way to pick up items dropped on the floor, and offered tips on seducing fellow shoppers.
 
“Is it 1970? No, 2020, almost 2021,” said one Twitter user.
 

Many pointed out the poor timing of the episode, aired just before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th.

 
“If this is what public television thinks it should teach women, we are troubled as a society,” wrote another Italian Twitter user.
 
“As a woman I would not have participated in this farce. As a TV viewer I have mixed feelings: disgust for the show, shame for the broadcaster, anger because I pay the license fee,” commented another.
 
Many social media users from outside Italy questioned whether  the clip was real, or a parody.
The public broadcaster announced it would be investigating how and why the segment was allowed to be aired, after government ministers asked for an explanation from the channel’s management.
 
“How long must we continue talking about women in a fake, stereotypical way, with stiletto heels, sexy movements, always perfect, mermaids or witches?” asked Italy's agricultural minister Teresa Bellanova on Twitter.

 
“Obviously I’ve begun an investigation to ascertain responsibility and we are evaluating the future of this programme,” Rai’s CEO Fabrizio Salini said in a statement to the media on Wednesday
 
He said the segment had “nothing to do with the spirit of the public service and with the editorial line of Rai.”
 
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