Make Poverty History campaign ban in UK?

[Eric J in MN]

Why does a tv or radio ad being political mean it's banned?

Aren't there campaign commercials in the UK?

'Make Poverty History' Banned in U.K.

http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2005/09/12/make_poverty_history_banned/index.php

A lobbying campaign called Make Poverty History has been banned from TV and radio advertising in the U.K. on the grounds that it is political, Reuters reports. Make Poverty History is a conglomeration of 530 charities and aid groups that is part of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.

The campaign, which includes an array of stars snapping their fingers to underscore the fact that a child dies of preventable poverty every three seconds and a signature white bracelet, was created with the goal of persuading the governments of the Group of Eight industrialized countries to write off billions of dollars in debt owed by the poorest of the world's countries. British Prime Minister Tony Blair praised the campaign, saying it was successful in convincing the G8 to write off more than $40 billion in debt.

But advertising watchdog Ofcom said the goals of the campaign were political and therefore outlawed.

[tocqueville]

1. political ads are banned in many European countries

they are only allowed under an election campaign. In France they must be of equal length and sent in blocks with others. They cannot be privately financed.

[Kerrytravelers]

2. I'm curious how the ONE campaign is overtly political.

Somehow, Bono managed to get pat buchanan to join on, along with nobel human beings like Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom (whose parents were jailed with Nelson Mandela for working against Arpitide {sp})

In Europe, can someone who knows explain the rules in Europe that would make this a political campaign?

Thanks in advance!

kt

[Taxloss]

3. All political advertising is banned on UK TV.*

Make Poverty History has political ends related to trade; its adverts are therefore political.

(* Our political parties are not allowed to buy advertising on TV. But they are allocated short slots to make short films at certain times and during election campaigns.)

[Kerrytravelers]

4. Got it! Thanks!

Political ends makes sense. Is there a way to recut it to make it fall under the rules? I know you're not a representative of the ONE campaign, I was just curious if you have any thoughts?

Where do you live in Eurpoe... or where did you live? I'm just being nosy now!

[Taxloss]

6. It could simply fundraise on a charitable basis.

We have fundraising ads. But the one that was shown was political advocacy. And that's illegal.

Incidentally, the authority acted independently; no complaints were received.

I live in London, UK.

[Kerrytravelers]

7. Very interesting. I'm always curious about the waysother countries

run their government--- especially after watching mine begin to immulate fascism. Now, I find the subject even more intriguing!

[tocqueville]

5. rules in Europe differ from country to country

BUT

(they are probably exceptions), the idea is that it isn't fair to pass a POLITICAL message through the "packaging" of a commercial on TV.

it's a question of equity. If it was allowed, organisations or individuals could pass a message while others couldn't afford it.
Besides it's at the same time forbidden in many countries to privately finance political ads, not to talk about candidates and parties.

It's OK if the message is neutral like for example "Katrina". But a message against poverty can become political if the measures proposed don't reach consensus or indirectly promote some political interests.

in that case the statement below is clearly political :

“The UK Government should: fight to ensure that governments, particularly in poor countries, can choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment; to end export subsidies that damage the livelihoods of poor communities around the world; make laws that stop big business profiting at the expense of people and the
environment”


The persons that want to pass that message can still organize plenty of other events, for example concerts, give press conferences... then the fact that they are on TV falls under media coverage. But that implies an objective comment from the journalists. Which you cannot have - at the same level - when airing over and over the same ad.

personally I approve the message. But if those guys didn't have the money to do it (which is often the case), another corporation subsidized could pass the message "the UK government shouldn't give aid because we need money for investment in the UK", to give a fictionous example.

Politics belong to the Parliament, not to corporate media.

[Kerrytravelers]

8. I wish that same sentiment were found here in the US of A---> we need it -

DESPERATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Help us... if you're living outside the United States, help us. Everyday, it's getting worse and worse! At some point, this country is either going to cave in on itself economically or there will be a cold cultural civil war. Yikes.


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