Gema Diversity triumphs in Bigo Live’s first annual debate competition

In a landmark event that merged intellectual rigor with the vibrant world of live streaming, Bigo Live, the leading global live-streaming platform, successfully hosted its first annual debate competition. This event, which took place from April 26th to May 31st, brought together the dynamic youth of Malaysia to engage in thoughtful discourse, showcasing the platform’s commitment to fostering educational and cultural dialogue.

Bigo Live, launched in 2016 and now boasting 400 million users across 150 countries, has established itself as a hub for musicians, artists, gamers, and content creators to share their talents. With its headquarters in Singapore, the platform co-hosted the debate competition in collaboration with the Public Speaking Unit at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UPUUKM) and Mr. Ezly Marzuki, a UKM alumnus and the current head coach of the UKM Malay Debate Team. This initiative marks a significant expansion of Bigo Live’s primarily entertainment-focused content, aiming to elevate the Malay language in public speaking and intellectual engagement.

Intellectual Engagement Meets Live Streaming

The competition saw active participation from 35 students and faculty members of UPUUKM, who took on roles as committee members, basic debate trainers, moderators, and judges. Additionally, 45 enthusiastic Bigo Live hosts registered as participants, forming teams of three to compete under the official inter-varsity debate rules and format. Each debate featured a government team and an opposition, with participants delivering seven-minute substantive speeches followed by four-minute rebuttals from their teammates.

Central to the competition was a strict adherence to sportsmanship and respect. Guidelines prohibited heckling, harassment, disruptive behavior, and sensitive topics related to race, religion, or personal matters that could offend, humiliate, or embarrass participants. This framework ensured a respectful and constructive environment, highlighting the event’s educational purpose.

Cultural and Contemporary Issues Debated

The debates tackled a wide range of culturally relevant topics, reflecting contemporary issues faced by Malaysian society. Among the topics debated were “The Decline of Moral Values in Teenagers Begins at Home,” “Malaysians Should Have Two Jobs to Improve the Cost of Living,” “This House Believes National Athletes Need to Enhance Their Personal Safety More Strictly,” “Awareness of Hosts Is More Important Than Law Enforcement in Addressing the Issue of Misuse of the Bigo Live Application,” “This House Believes the BIGO Annual Awards Should Separate Categories by Race,” and “The Age Limit for Registering on Bigo Live Should Be Lowered to Increase the Number of Users.”

The competition culminated in a thrilling final round where the Gema Diversity team, comprised of Bigo hosts SirMFJ, Yvonnelohyeeman, and 423133533, emerged victorious. Their triumph was a testament to their eloquence, critical thinking, and teamwork, setting a high standard for future competitions.

The success of this event has inspired the Bigo Live Malaysia team to make the debate competition an annual fixture, underscoring their dedication to promoting intellectual and cultural discourse. The overwhelming response and viewership for the debates highlight the community’s appetite for such enriching content, promising a bright future for educational initiatives on the platform.

As Bigo Live continues to empower individuals and communities worldwide, the first annual debate competition stands as a shining example of how digital platforms can bridge entertainment and education, fostering a global community that values thoughtful engagement and cultural exchange.