THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Taiwan's porn-star metro cards - a learning experience for all

Taiwan's porn-star metro cards - a learning experience for all

A week has passed since Taiwan's EasyCard Corp's decision to release the controversial "Angels and Demons" mass-transit swipe cards featuring Japanese porn star Yui Hatano. The cards have whipped up a storm of controversy - but the fallout also offers ove

Though it is 40-per-cent-owned by the Taipei government, EasyCard Corp ignored Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s advice not to issue the cards and opened telephone pre-orders on Monday morning. Four hours later, the entire run of 15,000 two-card sets had been sold, each for 500 Taiwan dollars (Bt550). 
Some public figures were scandalised. 
Taipei City Councillor Chung Hsiao-ping promptly sued Mayor Ko and EasyCard co-chairman Tai Chi-chuan for breach of trust and public humiliation. Popular convenience stores in Taiwan refused to stock the controversial cards.
Taipei City’s women’s rights committee stood up to condemn the city government, and demanded the complete disposal of the printed cards on Monday.
Meanwhile Mayor Ko shrugged off the controversy, expressing admiration that a private company managed to attract a week’s worth of media coverage for just NT$450,000 (Bt500,000).
 His reaction shows that he, his government and EasyCard Corp have failed to comprehend the negative consequences of this incident.
By his admiration, Ko also implies that the government should imitate such measures to reduce public spending.
However, the mayor is mistaken. 
A week’s worth of such negative media coverage is nothing to be proud of. The Taipei City government clearly needs to reconsider the ramifications of recent events.
As the largest shareholder in EasyCard, any decision the company makes reflects upon the city government. The decision to issue the porn-star cards against Ko’s wishes  reflects cracks in the mayor’s management processes, meaning that citizens now mistrust the relationship between the company and the government.
His initial statements and overdue apology this week also underscore how Mayor Ko is slowly losing touch with public values. It would be wise for Ko not to lose sight of what his citizens need.
Likewise, EasyCard boss Tai should not abuse his power to exploit legal grey areas in his pursuit of financial gain.
For companies hungry for profit, EasyCard Corp’s boon is a prime example of what sells – sex. Using images of scantily clad women to promote products is popular in Taiwan and elsewhere.
But the undoubted success of this dubious marketing method does not make it right or acceptable. Rather, it numbs the public perception of women and their place in society.
One question to consider is whether other companies, especially those with ties to government, will follow EasyCard Corp down the slippery moral slope?
As for the lessons that society can take away from this episode, parents and teachers alike should seize this opportunity to address issues of gender equality and stereotypes with their children and students. 
As adults we should also be asking ourselves, what makes those who work in the porn industry “dirty and unclean”?
Should porn stars or sex workers be condemned, or should they be respected as fellow human beings working for a wage?
Rather than avoid or ban such discussion, open communication is required to educate the next generation.
EasyCard Corp has got what it wants in abundance – coverage, sales and revenue. Now that the cards have been sold, this is also a fine opportunity for the rest of us to address the problematic issues they raise, and foster healthier values in the next generation of Taiwanese.
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