Animal Defenders International (ADI) wanted to buy TV ads for its campaign
“My Mate’s a Primate,” which seeks to educate the public about the bush meat trade, the use of nonhuman primates in entertainment and advertising as well as in research, testing and education. The ads were refused because they were “political.” So, ADI sued the British Government over the Communications Act 2003. The Act bans radio and TV advertising by political organizations whose main aim is to “influence public opinion on a matter of controversy.”
“BP are permitted to advertise their green credentials on TV but environmental organizations are not permitted to criticize the oil industry for its role in climate change in the same media,” said ADI’s attorney Tamsin Allen in The Guardian. Nonprofits are lending their support to ADI, including Amnesty International and the RSCPA.
In a bizarre twisting of the situation that’s not uncommon to some Guardian columnists, Nick Cohen took ADI to task. If ADI wins it would “give right-wing politicians and moneyed interests a huge advantage in the process.”
The Grumpy Vegan tried to understand the logic in his argument but couldn’t. It seems that we’re damned because we don’t have the right to advertise. And we’re damned if we do because we’ll pave the way for fascism.
Anyway, the British High Court has reserved judgment until September.
