Dave
2005-05-21 09:52:23 UTC
Abduction is OK in advertising says ASA (Advertising Standards
Authority) (UK). This just goes to show that there are rules, and then
there are the other rules.
******************************
Here is my original complaint:
******************************
Channel 4 Sat 14th May 2005 18:30
Tiscali Broadband
This advert makes light of the abduction of a female, which I think is
totally inappropriate, and in poor taste. You need to watch the advert
to know what I mean. Description: couple at night in a tent, and a
horseman comes along and abducts the female. The male wakes up and
talks about Tiscali Broadband.
**********************
Judgement: 16 May 2005
**********************
Your complaint about Tiscali Broadband
Thank you for your recent complaint. We are sorry that this
advertisement has caused you concern. I should explain that we do not
give prior approval to advertisements or to themes chosen by the
advertisers, but we can intervene if there is evidence that it is
likely to cause harm, mislead or provoke offence.
We've investigated the points you raised but don't think there are
sufficient grounds for ASA intervention. In our opinion the
advertisement is light-hearted and unlikely to cause harm. While we
appreciate that this type of humour is not to all tastes, we do not
consider that there are grounds to take the matter further.
The advertisers are clearly referring to Broadband from the start and
the 'masked man' is on a horse in keeping with the Zorro-style figure
rather than a contemporary stalker/attacker. We don't think that
it's sinister and we have no evidence to suggest that it is being
interpreted that way.
Although we don't propose any further action, thank you all the same
for taking the trouble to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Broadcast Complaints
********************
Appeal 16th May 2005
********************
Thank you for the prompt reply. Re Tiscali Broadband
complaint XXXXXX 15th May 2005 Channel 4 18:30.
I am appealing the decision on the basis that the
decision is wrong. The grounds for this are (from your
standards):
b) salacious, violent or indecent themes, or sexual
innuendo or stereotyping likely to cause serious or
general offence, should be avoided;
i.e. violent themes should be avoided. Abduction is
violent.
g) humour should not be used to circumvent the
intention of Code Rules.
You gave the reason to turn down the complaint that
the advertisement is light hearted.
br,
YYYYYYYY
Authority) (UK). This just goes to show that there are rules, and then
there are the other rules.
******************************
Here is my original complaint:
******************************
Channel 4 Sat 14th May 2005 18:30
Tiscali Broadband
This advert makes light of the abduction of a female, which I think is
totally inappropriate, and in poor taste. You need to watch the advert
to know what I mean. Description: couple at night in a tent, and a
horseman comes along and abducts the female. The male wakes up and
talks about Tiscali Broadband.
**********************
Judgement: 16 May 2005
**********************
Your complaint about Tiscali Broadband
Thank you for your recent complaint. We are sorry that this
advertisement has caused you concern. I should explain that we do not
give prior approval to advertisements or to themes chosen by the
advertisers, but we can intervene if there is evidence that it is
likely to cause harm, mislead or provoke offence.
We've investigated the points you raised but don't think there are
sufficient grounds for ASA intervention. In our opinion the
advertisement is light-hearted and unlikely to cause harm. While we
appreciate that this type of humour is not to all tastes, we do not
consider that there are grounds to take the matter further.
The advertisers are clearly referring to Broadband from the start and
the 'masked man' is on a horse in keeping with the Zorro-style figure
rather than a contemporary stalker/attacker. We don't think that
it's sinister and we have no evidence to suggest that it is being
interpreted that way.
Although we don't propose any further action, thank you all the same
for taking the trouble to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Broadcast Complaints
********************
Appeal 16th May 2005
********************
Thank you for the prompt reply. Re Tiscali Broadband
complaint XXXXXX 15th May 2005 Channel 4 18:30.
I am appealing the decision on the basis that the
decision is wrong. The grounds for this are (from your
standards):
b) salacious, violent or indecent themes, or sexual
innuendo or stereotyping likely to cause serious or
general offence, should be avoided;
i.e. violent themes should be avoided. Abduction is
violent.
g) humour should not be used to circumvent the
intention of Code Rules.
You gave the reason to turn down the complaint that
the advertisement is light hearted.
br,
YYYYYYYY
