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gagasmallA radio station in Malaysia has censored parts of Lady Gaga’s gay equality song Born This Way.

Bosses at the conservative, predominantly Muslim country’s Amp Radio Networks have blocked out sections of the song that explicitly refer to equal rights for LGBT people.

One lyric censored by Amp Radio Networks is, “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I’m on the right track, baby”.

A spokesperson for AMP Networks, which is Malaysia’s top private radio operator, told The Associated Press that the lyrics “may be considered as offensive when viewed against Malaysia’s social and religious observances”.

Broadcasters in Malaysia can face fines up to the equivalent of $16,000, amongst other penalties, if they break the government’s rules regarding airing “offensive content”.

Malaysian gay rights activist Pang Khee Teik said of the decision to censor pro-gay rights lyrics that the media should be, “a platform for marginalised voices and create understanding – not perpetuate ignorance and hate”.

“Lady Gaga was attempting to address that very thing in her song. How dare they play that song and cut out its shining heart”.

Pang Khee Teik, the co-founder of anti-discrimination arts movement Sexuality Independence, went on to say,  “We just want the same thing as everyone else: to love, be loved and have our songs played on the radio”.

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