Press Releases 2008

 

 

 

THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER

 

 

BCI STATEMENT ON PROPOSED VERITAS ADVERTISEMENT

Over the course of the past fortnight, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has given detailed consideration to a number of scripts proposed by representatives for the organisation Veritas as part of a Christmas advertising campaign.  As part of this process, the Commission has had regard to existing legislation and regulation; specifically Section 65 of the Broadcasting Act, 2001 and Section 9 of the BCI General Advertising Code.  The Commission also had regard to a decision of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in September 2008, upholding a complaint against a Veritas advertisement which was broadcast.

It is the Commission’s view that the scripts, as proposed may not comply with legislation and regulation regarding advertising directed towards a religious end.  As part of its dealing with agencies representing Veritas the Commission sought to reach a resolution through alternative wording for the script, an offer which to date has not been taken up.

The BCI has a statutory duty as a regulator to ensure compliance by broadcasters with relevant legislation and regulation. In the context of the Broadcasting Bill which is currently at committee stage in the Oireachtas, the Commission has made suggestions to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding possible amendments which could be made to the section of the legislation dealing with advertising directed towards a religious end. 

 

Media Queries to
Suzanne Sullivan                                       or                    Aoife Clabby
Q4 PR                                                                                    BCI
01 4751444/086 3797291                                                 01 6441200