Indonesian lawmakers have given the green light to a proposed law that would outlaw ‘LGBT behaviours’ on television. The Jakarta Post reports that a proposed ban has been tacked to a broadcasting bill currently being discussed by the country’s Parliament.

The newspaper reports that a draft copy of the bill includes Orwellian new language that seeks to ban LGBT characters in TV shows. Among the list of criteria for outlawed content in broadcasts includes programs containing “LGBT behaviour.”

This could cripple the TV industry, which would be effectively prevented from showing any show that features a character who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Reporting on LGBT rights issues would also be hampered, as would documentaries about anyone who happens to be gay. The law would require the ‘screening’ of all TV shows, films and adverts by an external censorship body prior to broadcast in order to ensure compliance with the new rules.

It has broad support from across the parties in the country. Speaking to the Post, Hanafi Rais of the National Mandate Party supported the ban, insisting: “I am sure there are still more creative ways to entertain people [instead of showing LGBT behaviour].”

Supiadin Aries Saputra of the NasDem Party said: “We can’t allow LGBT behaviour on TV. It is against our culture." Read more via Pink News