Splitting Hairs…ASA dismisses whinges about jokey barbers advert

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A regional press ad for Barber Brown’s, a hairdressing salon, seen in the South West edition of the Metro on 21 February 2012 and 8 March 2012, featured an image depicting Jesus, bathed in light. Text statedHe is coming … Better get your hair done! Barber Browns UNISEX . Two complainants challenged whether the ad was offensive to Christians. One of the complainants believed the ad implied that Jesus would judge people on their outward appearance and the other believed it was offensive to depict the Second Coming as humorous. Barber Brown’s said that they had been using the ad for well over three years in various formats, including flyers that were available in a local church, and that they had received an overwhelmingly positive response, including being featured in an article in the national press. They said that it was not their intention to cause offence and they felt that their intentions had been misinterpreted. They said that the ad was meant to be humorous and different rather than offensive. ASA Assessment: Complaints not upheld The ASA noted that the ad featured a depiction of Jesus bathed in light and that the text appeared to make reference to the Second Coming. We acknowledged that some people might find the ad distasteful. However, we considered that most consumers would understand that it was a light-hearted take on the biblical story rather than a mockery of Christian belief. Because we considered that the ad was unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence, we concluded that it had not breached the Code. We investigated the ad under CAP Code rule 4.1 (Harm and offence) but did not find it in breach. Comment: Arbitrary Mediation of Religious Offence See  article from  secularism.org.uk The National Secular Society has accused the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of being inconsistent in dealing with complaints about ads using religious imagery after the watchdog cleared an advertisement for a barber’s shop that appeared to mock Jesus’ second coming but had previously banned adverts for ice cream featuring a pregnant nun and apparently gay priests. The NSS has written to the ASA’s chairman, Lord Smith, asking him to revisit the ice cream ad judgments with a view to reversing them. In its latest report, the ASA has cleared an advertisement for a barber’s shop which was accused of offending Christians. But previously the ASA had banned two advertisements from the ice cream manufacturer Antonio Federici one of which showed a pregnant nun and the other featured two priests who appeared to be on the verge of kissing each other. Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, said: The ASA is completely inconsistent in its approach to adverts featuring religious imagery. It bans much milder advertisements — such as those for the ice cream company Antonio Federici which sent up clergy and nuns rather than anything directly to do with faith — and yet clears this one that parodies Jesus. Where’s the logic in that? Mr Sanderson said that the ASA may be easing up a little on its previously strict approach to advertising using religious images after NSS staff met with Lord Smith to discuss the ASA’s unjustifiable restrictions on free expression.

Celebrating 50 Years of Political Correctness…ASA publish their top 10 adverts of 2011

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Thanks to Nick See ASA Annual Report 2011 [pdf] from asa.org.uk

The most complained about UK adverts of 2011 Phones 4 U 659 complaints – not upheld A series of TV and video-on- demand ads featuring a ghost-like little girl prompted complaints that they were offensive, irresponsible, unduly distressing and inappropriately scheduled at a time when children might see them. Although we recognised the ads might cause some unease, we considered a post-7.30 pm restriction was appropriate. Littlewoods Home Shopping 585 complaints – not upheld This online and broadcast ad generated a range of complaints including that it implied Father Christmas didn’t exist and was sexist because it suggested mum bought all the presents. After careful consideration, we judged that there was nothing in the ad that broke the rules. CSL Sofas 260 complaints – not upheld This TV ad for sofas depicted three female models posing and dancing in lingerie. We appreciated that some viewers might have found the images distasteful and gratuitous, but we considered the ad not to be problematic Lynx 2012 Deoderant 214 complaints – not upheld In a TV ad parody of the story of Noah’s Ark, a man attracted a hoard of women to his boat by spraying himself with deodorant. Viewers complained that the end of the world theme upset children mocked the Christian faith and was demeaning to women. We accepted the ad didn’t appeal to everyone, but it contained nothing explicit that would cause harm or serious or widespread offence. Travel Palestine Travel Palestine 149 complaints – upheld in part Complainants challenged whether a magazine ad promoting tourist sites in Palestine was misleading because it suggested Palestine was a recognised country and suggested areas, including Jerusalem, were in Palestinian- administered territory. We told the advertiser not to suggest that it was universally accepted that locations were part of Palestine when that was not the case. Durex Condoms 126 complaints – not upheld| This TV ad for condoms sparked complaints that it was inappropriate to appear before the watershed and was unsuitable to be seen by children. Because the ad was scheduled away from when young children might be watching and did not contain any graphic images or content, the ad did not breach the Code. Lynx Shower Soap 115 complaints – upheld in part A poster featured a woman under an outdoor shower wearing bikini bottoms and clasping an undone bikini top against her breasts. We considered that, alongside the strap line the cleaner you are the dirtier you get , the ad was likely to cause offence and was unsuitable to be seen by children. Phones 4 U 98 complaints – upheld A national press ad for miraculous deals on mobile phones featured a cartoon illustration of Jesus Christ grinning broadly and winking. Because the ad was published during Easter, we considered it was disrespectful to the Christian faith and likely to cause serious offence. The Money Advice Service 80 complaints – not upheld Complainants objected that a TV ad and website for financial products and services were misleading. We concluded that the advertiser’s claims about its advice service and that it was set up by Government had been substantiated. Phones 4 U 79 complaints – not upheld Viewers considered a TV ad featuring a man being chased through the woods by a zombie to be offensive and unsuitable to be seen by children. We thought the post-7.30 pm restriction was sufficient to ensure it was unlikely to be seen by young children watching television alone.

Alien…From the BBFC archives. Examiners debate whether Ridley Scotts classic should be AA or X

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Examiners found themselves weighing up whether to pass the film AA , which would have made the film available to those aged 14 and up or X for 18 years and over. In the end the film was passed X in line with other horror films of the time such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers. However some comparisons were drawn between Alien and Jaws and there was discussion as to whether younger viewers would be able handle Alien or whether the level of fear generated and the dark tone were too much. …See the full article

Celebrating 50 Years of Political Correctness…ASA publish their top 10 adverts of all time

Read more ASA Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See ASA Annual Report 2011 [pdf] from asa.org.uk

KFC Zingers (2005) . 1,671 complaints – not upheld. This TV ad showed call centre workers singing with their mouths full. Many objected it could encourage bad manners amongst children. Although not to everyone’ taste, we thought it was unlikely to change children’s behaviour or undermine parental authority. Auction World (2004) 1,360 complaints – licence revoked. Shopping channel Auctionworld’s consistently poor customer service, misleading guide prices and delays in delivery of goods resulted in a flurry of complaints, which we passed to Ofcom who issued a fine and revoked their licence to broadcast. Paddy Power Bookies (2010) 1,313 complaints – not upheld Viewers complained that the image of a cat being kicked across a pitch by a blind football player was offensive to blind people and could encourage animal cruelty. We judged the ad was unlikely to encourage or condone cruelty to animals or cause serious or widespread offence. The Christian Party (2009) 1,204 complaints – not upheld Complainants objected that the strap line There definitely is a God. So join the Christian Party and enjoy your life was offensive to atheists and couldn’t be substantiated. Political party ads are out of our remit, but even if it had been in remit we wouldn’t have banned it because it was clearly a statement of opinion, rather than fact. British Safety Council (1995) 1,192 complaints – upheld This leaflet featured the Pope wearing a hard hat with the strap line The Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt always wear a condom . Although intended to raise awareness for National Condom Week and promote safer sex, we agreed with complainants that it was offensive to Roman Catholics Marie Stopes International (2010) 1,088 complaints – not upheld A TV ad offering sexual and reproductive healthcare advice, information and services attracted complaints for various reasons, including that it promoted abortion. We felt it was clearly promoting an advice service and wasn’t advocating one course of action over another, nor trivialising unplanned pregnancy. Volkswagen (2009) 1,070 complaints – upheld in part The ASA upheld, in part, against this ad campaign that depicted an engineer fighting multiple versions of himself. We ruled that the level of violence in two of the ads meant they should only be shown after 9 pm. Opium Perfume (2000) 948 complaints – upheld We agreed with complaints that a poster ad for Opium perfume featuring a naked Sophie Dahl was sexually suggestive and, in an untargeted medium, likely to cause serious or widespread offence. But we didn’t uphold a small number of complaints about the same ad in women’s magazines. Department of Energy and Climate Change (2010) 939 complaints – upheld in part We received objections that this TV and press campaign about climate change was misleading and scaremongering. We didn’t agree with the majority of the objections, but did uphold complaints about claims in some of the press ads for exaggerating the likelihood and impact of extreme weather conditions. Barnardo’s (2008) 840 complaints – not upheld Designed to raise awareness of domestic child abuse, this TV campaign featured repeated scenes of violence and drug-taking, which many viewers found upsetting and not suitable for broadcast at times when children were likely to be watching. We did not doubt the distress or offence described by many of the complainants. However, we considered the ads were scheduled appropriately and their aim justified the use of strong imagery.

Stooges at the BBFC…The Three Stooges is cut for a PG rating

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The Three Stooges is a 2012 US comedy by Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly. With Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos and Will Sasso. See IMDb , In the US the film received an uncut MPAA PG Rating. But in the UK it had to be cut to receive its BBFC PG rating for the upcoming cinema release. The BBFC explained: This work was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive a 12A certificate but that their preferred PG classification could be achieved by making cuts in five sequences. These were to remove four sequences showing everyday objects being used in a potentially dangerous manner that young children may copy: a vegetable peeler used on a man’s head, a cheese grater used on a man’s foot, hair tongs used on a woman’s tongue and a man’s head in a microwave and a line of dialogue about teaching children to play with matches. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, the recommended cuts had been made and the film was classified PG .

Island of Lost Souls…UK DVD/Blu-ray combo set to be released in the Masters of Cinema series

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See  article from  bbc.co.uk Robin Cooke looks back at the history of Island of Lost Souls See trailer from youtube.com See further details at Melon Farmers Video Hits: Island of Lost Souls

Island of Lost Souls is a 1932 US Sci-Fi horror by Erle C Kenton. With Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi and Richard Arlen. See IMDb UK: Passed PG uncut for mild violence and scary scenes for: UK 2012 Eureka Masters of Cinema Limited Edition Steelbook RB Blu-Ray/R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today on 28th May 2012 UK 2012 Eureka Masters of Cinema RB Blu-Ray/R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today on 28th May 2012 Robin Cooke explained: Our view now is that if you compare it with the PG Harry Potters let alone the 12A Harry Potters or the PG Doctor Who it looks quite tame in comparison. UK: Passed 12 uncut with previous cuts restored for: UK 1996 Visionary VHS Previously cut by the BBFC Passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for: UK 1958 cinema release Cuts included: Removal of Parker’s line: They’re vivisecting a human being. They’re cutting a man to pieces! Removal of the sight of Moreau’s less successful experiments walking on a treadmill. Previously banned by the BBFC Banned by the BBFC for: UK 1957 cinema release UK 1933 cinema release Robin Cooke explained: The precise reasons for its rejection in 1933 were lost when BBFC records were destroyed during World War II. There are themes to do with vivisection, animal experimentation and animal hybrids and it looks as though that was regarded as completely beyond the pale in 1933. In 1932, an H for horror category had been introduced but Island of Lost Souls wasn’t even regarded as suitable for that. There was no one set of guidelines from the early days . Some of them are very alien from the kind of things we would have now. Things like no mixed bathing, no lascivious dancing. Summary Review: Mad Doctor Doctoring Animal The story sees Edward Parker (Richard Arlen) shipwrecked on an isolated South Seas island, where he discovers Dr Moreau (Charles Laughton) is conducting sadistic experiments to transform animals into humans.

Licensed to Repress…Glasgow City Council initiates survey to find views on controlling public entertainment

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Contribute to the Glasgow Survey from surveymonkey.com Sign the  petition from  change.org

From the campaign: Scottish Councils: Scrap Public Entertainment Licence Fees. Thank you for supporting our campaign on Public Entertainment Licences in Scotland. You might be aware that City of Edinburgh Council already conducted a public consultation on the issue. Glasgow City Council have now followed suit, and we’d like to encourage as many supporters as possible to complete their survey and ensure that your voice and opinion is represented. …Contribute to the Glasgow Survey We are continuing to campaign on behalf of artists, community organisations and venues across Scotland. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone in areas outside Glasgow and Edinburgh interested in forming a network to keep us updated on developments in your area, such as events that may have been forced to pay, events that might not have taken place, no matter how large or small. Please contact us via the petition website. It is important that we have a better picture of what is happening across the country as we form a national strategy for the campaign. …See the  petition from  change.org

The Woman in Black…US release the uncut version on DVD and Blu-ray

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See trailer from youtube.com See also Calendar: Coming Soon : What’s Cut and What’s Not

The Woman in Black is a 2012 UK/Canada/Sweden ghost story by James Watkins. With Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer and Ciarán Hinds. See IMDb US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for: US 2012 CBS RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 22nd May 2012 US 2012 CBS R1 DVD at US Amazon released on 22nd May 2012 UK Releases UK distributors are not very forthcoming about whether cut or uncut versions will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on 18th June. Both the cut and uncut versions have been passed by the BBFC so all options are open to the distributors. UK: Passed 15 Uncut for: UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum video UK: Passed 12A after 6s of BBFC category cuts for intense supernatural threat and horror for: UK 2012 Technicolor/Momentum video UK 2012 cinema release The BBFC commented: Distributor chose to reduce moments of strong violence / horror in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cuts made in line with BBFC Guidelines and policy. A 15 classification without cuts was available. In addition to the 6 seconds of visual cuts, substitutions were also made by darkening some shots and by reducing the sound levels on others.

How Pornography Hijacks the Nutter Mind…Claire Perry wheels in the nutters to preach to MPs about the sins of porn

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See article from dailymail.co.uk

The Daily Mail introduces its latest propaganda piece: Children are being scarred for life by stumbling across internet pornography before their brains are able to cope with it, according to a leading neuroscientist. Dr William Struthers told MPs that in eight out of ten cases, youngsters come across hard-core images by accident. If they are between nine and 14, when their bodies are becoming sexually mature but their brains are not emotionally developed, early exposure can lead to lasting damage including withdrawn behaviour and acting out what they see onscreen. Dr Struthers was speaking at a House of Commons seminar sponsored by Claire Perry, the Tory MP who wants to block web porn from computers unless adults opt in. Dr Struthers, associate professor of psychology at Wheaton College, Illinois, found that research subjects were able to recall the first images of porn they ever saw in remarkable detail even though they could not remember images they had seen more recently. He said that impact was profound because although the hypothalamus, the region of the brain which controls sexual development, is preparing the body for sexual maturity, the higher thinking regions of the brain are not developed enough to deal with viewing extreme sex. I wonder if the MPs were informed about where Dr Struthers is coming from. Wheaton College introduces itself on its website as follows: Welcome to Wheaton College—a community of grace. As an academically rigorous, four-year Christian liberal arts college and graduate school, we seek to honor Jesus Christ with mind, soul, body, and strength. We praise God for your interest and pray that in some way your contact with Wheaton College will serve the sacred purpose expressed in our historic motto: ‘For Christ and His Kingdom.’ —Philip Ryken 88, President Wheaton College is an explicitly Christian, academically rigorous, fully residential liberal arts college and graduate school located in Wheaton, Illinois. Established in 1860, Wheaton is guided by its original mission to provide excellence in Christian higher education, and offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, and 14 graduate degrees. Dr William Struthers has written a book titled Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain. The promotional book description reads: Pornography is powerful. Our contemporary culture as been pornified, and it shapes our assumptions about identity, sexuality, the value of women and the nature of relationships. Countless Christian men struggle with the addictive power of porn. But common spiritual approaches of more prayer and accountability groups are often of limited help. In this book neuroscientist and researcher William Struthers explains how pornography affects the male brain and what we can do about it. Because we are embodied beings, viewing pornography changes how the brain works, how we form memories and make attachments. By better understanding the biological realities of our sexual development, we can cultivate healthier sexual perspectives and interpersonal relationships. Struthers exposes false assumptions and casts a vision for a redeemed masculinity, showing how our sexual longings can actually propel us toward sanctification and holiness in our bodies. With insights for both married and single men alike, this book offers hope for freedom from pornography. Amen.

The Hunger Games…Passed 15 uncut by the BBFC for video

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See article from bbfc.co.uk

The Hunger Games is a 2012 US Sci-Fi action film by Gary Ross. With Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. See IMDb The International Version has just been passed 15 uncut for strong violence and threat for: UK 2012 Lions Gate Online UK 2012 Lions Gate Video The UK Version, the result of pre-cuts and a further 7s of cuts by the BBFC was passed 12A/12 for intense threat, moderate violence and occasional gory momentsfor: UK 2012 Lions gate Online UK 2012 Lions Gate Video UK 2012 cinema release UK 2012 cinema release [IMAX] It will be interesting to see the release pattern for the DVD and Blu-ray.