Zayn Malik, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars’ songs face ban for ‘pornographic’ content

More than 85 songs including Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape Of You’, Ariana Grande’s ‘Love Me Harder’, Zayn Malik’s ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ and Bruno Mars ‘That’s What I Like’ have been banned in Indonesia due to 'pornographic' content.

Indonesia’s West Java province's broadcasting commission singled out 85 songs, including 17 western pop songs, that it said contained 'adult and offensive content'. In a memorandum, the commission cautioned that the offending material should be played or broadcast only between 10pm and 3am.

Rahmat Arifin, Central KPI Deputy Chairman told Tempo.co, “In this case, what is banned is not the songs, but the lyrics of the songs that contain pornography, pornographic association, and obscenity”.

Commission head Dedeh Fardiah also told The Guardian that some of the lyrics could possibly be perceived as ‘objectifying women as sexual objects’.

Other songs in the list include are Bruno Mars’ ‘Versace On The Floor’, ‘Wild Thoughts’ by Rihanna, ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers, and Camilla Cabello’s ‘Bad Things’ and ‘Sangria Wine’.

Reacting to the ban, in a series of tweets, Mars poked fun at Ed Sheeran that due to his 'perverted lyrics' his songs also got banned.

WTF! I was poppin in Indonesia! Then here comes @edsheeran with his sick, perverted lyrics, gettin us all pinched! Thanks Ed. Thanks a lot 🙄 https://t.co/boxHS890AE

— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 27, 2019

“I’m in love with the shape of you?” Really @edsheeran ? You monster! & don’t even get me started on “Thinking Out Loud.” Have u no shame?

— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 27, 2019

Dear Indonesia, I gave u the wholesome hits “Nothin On You,” “Just The Way You Are,” & “Treasure.” Don’t lump me in with that sexual deviant

— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 27, 2019