FHM magazine, which was published from 1985 until 2016, featured images of beautiful women posing provocatively in revealing clothing. These covers caused controversy in some countries where they were considered too explicit for public viewing. To comply with local regulations, some covers were censored or banned altogether, while others required significant changes before being allowed into circulation. This article explores how these censorship measures affected the publication's reputation and sales.
Cover Censorship in Singapore
In Singapore, one of the most restrictive countries when it comes to media content, all issues of FHM that were sold in newsstands had to be wrapped in plastic to obscure the cover. The magazine could still be purchased unwrapped at bookstores and specialty shops, but this created an additional barrier for readers who wanted to purchase the latest issue.
Retailers were forbidden from displaying FHM anywhere near children's magazines or newspapers. The impact of this policy was significant - many potential readers chose not to buy the magazine if it required extra effort to access. As a result, FHM struggled to maintain its readership in Singapore and eventually ceased publication there after just three years.
Sexuality vs. Sensuality
One factor contributing to the censorship of FHM covers is the distinction between sexuality and sensuality. While sexual images may be deemed offensive or pornographic, sensual images can be seen as artistic or tasteful. In Singapore, officials decided that any cover featuring nudity or overt sexuality crossed the line into indecency, even if the photos were classified as works of art. This led to a confusing situation where covers featuring celebrities like Jennifer Lopez or Scarlett Johansson were banned, while others depicting models in bikinis or lingerie were allowed.
This inconsistency damaged the reputation of both the magazine and the country's image.
Cover Alterations in Malaysia
In Malaysia, another conservative nation, FHM covers were often altered to comply with Islamic laws prohibiting the display of women's bodies. This meant removing clothing from covers or digitally altering them to make them less revealing. In some cases, entire sections of the magazine were removed to avoid violating modesty standards. These changes significantly reduced the appeal of the publication and resulted in lower sales figures than expected. Despite these challenges, FHM continued to publish in Malaysia until 2017 when it was permanently shut down due to financial difficulties.
The Impact on Readers
For many readers, censorship and alteration of covers was frustrating and alienating. They felt that they should be able to access the content they wanted without having to jump through hoops or resort to alternative means of purchase. Some readers took matters into their own hands by importing unaltered copies from other countries or accessing digital versions online. Others simply abandoned FHM altogether and switched to competitor publications with more lenient policies. The loss of revenue from these disgruntled readers had a significant impact on the magazine's bottom line.
Despite the challenges posed by cover censorship and alteration, FHM continued to publish in many countries around the world for over three decades.
The policy ultimately led to a decline in readership and profits, making it difficult to justify continuing operations.
The magazine ceased production in most markets where it faced significant restrictions, including Singapore, Malaysia, and several others. While some may view this as a victory for conservative values, others argue that it stifles creativity and expression while punishing responsible consumers who want to enjoy the magazine's content.