PETA 'Baby P' ad banned by ASA

 

LONDON - A PETA poster ad featuring the picture of one of the parties found guilty in the Baby P child abuse case has been banned by the ASA.

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PETA: part of the ad banned by the ASA
PETA: part of the ad banned by the ASA

The ad, which appeared in the area where Baby P lived and died, showed a picture of Steven Barker with accompanying text stating: "Steven Barker: Animal Abuser, Baby Abuser, Rapist. People who are violent towards animals rarely stop there."

The Advertising Standards Authority banned the ad on the grounds that it could "cause serious offence and distress to some residents".

Barker was jailed for 12 years in November 2008 for causing or allowing the baby's death, and was also jailed for life with a minimum term of 10 years for raping a different child.

The ASA upheld a single complaint that the ad was offensive and distressing, used unnecessary shock tactics and exploited the death of Baby P. It also said that the ad, because of its location, was particularly offensive and distressing to residents of that area.

The ASA overruled PETA's argument that people who abuse animals when they are young often go on to commit violence against fellow humans.

In a statement, PETA said: "The American Psychiatric Association identifies cruelty to animals as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorders, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation uses reports of crimes against animals in analysing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals."

PETA argued that the ad's message is potentially lifesaving and too important to ignore. The organisation said that the ad also appeared in a location in Wales where cats had been poisoned.

It had hoped to use the ad across the UK. However, the ASA ruled that it cannot appear again in its current form.

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All Comments

John Gallen - 03 February 2010

I hate PETA, always have and always will.

 

Bob Trollop - 03 February 2010

A badly placed campaign - but sadly a true message.

 
Mark Griffiths

Mark Griffiths - 03 February 2010

1. Deliberately confusing two issues like this is never a good idea. 2 Peta should have had more sense and sensitivity. 3. Peta is not known for either. 4. Our society is now averse to strong messages. 4. Everything is seen as spin and manipulation. 5. Once an ad is out there, however briefly, it's made its point. 6. Peta cannot unsay what has been unsaid and clearly does not want to. 7. As reported in the press, Peta appears to be becoming more and more extreme. 8. In a world hounded by terror, is this wise?

 

GAV VINE - 04 February 2010

Weird way to advertise PETA. It seems to be saying 'by reporting animal abusers, you will stop them going on to abuse humans'. But that sort of person will carry on like that regardless, so it's irrelevant. Advertising to stop animal cruelty by reporting it, is a different thing altogether,

 

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