Advert Censors of Little Stature…Advert with ‘Midgets’ Causes the Widespread Offence of One Person

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See article from asa.org.uk

Claims on Bar Fusion’s Facebook page, for a Christmas event at a bar, viewed on 9 December 2011, featured text which stated CHRISTMAS EVE WITH MIDGETS! FOR THE 1ST TIME IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS THIS CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY WITH OUR VERY OWN XMAS MIDGETS that’s right MIDGETS!!!!!!!!! ENTRY JUST ฃ5 ALL NIGHT. Beneath this text was an image which included the text To you & friends, from Santa’s club. December 24th. XMAS EVE With Our Xmas Midgets. A complainant objected that: the ad, and in particular the use of the word midgets, was offensive to short statured people; and the ad was irresponsible, because it reinforced negative attitudes towards short statured people. Bar Fusion said it was never their intention to cause offence and with hindsight they felt they must apologise for doing so. They said the night and artists were booked by an outside promoter who used the term. They therefore believed it was acceptable to use the term and that it would not cause offence. They said once it become apparent that the ad had caused offence, they removed the ad. ASA Assessment: Complaints Upheld The ASA acknowledged that Bar Fusion did not intend to use the ad in future. However, we noted the ad stated CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY WITH OUR VERY OWN XMAS MIDGETS that’s right MIDGETS!!!!!!!!! and considered the ad portrayed the presence of individuals of short stature as an attraction and source of entertainment. We therefore considered the ad was likely to cause serious and widespread offence. We also considered the ad promoted negative attitudes towards individuals of short stature and was therefore irresponsible. On that basis, we concluded that the ad breached the Code. The ad breached CAP Code rules 1.3 (Social responsibility) and 4.1 (Harm and offence). Action The ad must not appear again in its current form. We told Bar Fusion to ensure that ads were prepared with a sense of social responsibility and did not cause serious or widespread offence in future.

Lost Souls at the BBFC…Robin Cooke talks about 100 years of film censorship at the BBFC

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See article from bbc.co.uk

As the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) celebrates its 100th year, its director David Cooke reflects on some of the films that have challenged the censor over the decades. One of the best examples is 1932′s Island of Lost Souls, the first non-silent screen adaptation of HG Wells’ Island of Dr Moreau, starring Charles Laughton and Bela Lugosi. Scene from Island of Lost Souls Island of Lost Souls was first rejected by the British censor in the 1930s Originally rejected in 1933 – and again in 1957 – the film was eventually classified with an X certificate with cuts in 1958. In 1996 these cuts were restored and the film gained a 12 certificate. In 2011, it was resubmitted for a new DVD/Blu-ray release and was passed as a PG – making it viewable by children, though it carries the warning: Contains mild violence and scary scenes. When we had to classify it again last year, we went for PG on the basis of the comparison with the Doctor Whos and the Harry Potters, explains BBFC director David Cooke.

Nobs and Nutters…Flying Scotsman strip pub under threat in King’s Cross

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See article from islingtontribune.com Photo by Ian Alexander Martin

Four strip pubs and clubs in Kings Cross and Old Street are under threat from Islington Council.Councillor Paul Convery had written a long letter opposing the application by The Flying Scotsman, in Caledonian Road, to renew its sex entertainment licence, arguing it would be detrimental to the regeneration of the area and reinforce the perception that King’s Cross was an area to find drugs and sex. He added that he had been contacted by Muslim and Christian constituents, who found the sex club abhorrent to their faith. But he told the Tribune he was going to withdraw the objection after being assured by the owners that they intended to have sex entertainment for only another year or two before turning the bar into a gastro-type pub. There’s not a lot of future in these types of geezer pubs with nude dancing and fizzy beer, he spouted. Islington’s Town Hall’s policy is to ban sex clubs altogether. Several objections to the Platinum Bar, in Paul Street, Bunhill, have been lodged by residents, citing the usual bollox about nearby schools. The Horns, in Old Street, has attracted opposition from nearby businesses. A financial company has claimed its women employees felt intimidated when walking past the club late at night. For Your Eyes Only, in City Road, is also seeking to have its licence renewed, although no objections have been lodged.