SECTION 4: POLITICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

SECTION 4: POLITICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

No advertisement:

(a) may be inserted by or on behalf of any body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature

(b) may be directed towards any political end

(c) may have any relation to any industrial dispute (with limited exceptions)

Note to 4(c):

The Broadcasting Act 1990 specifically exempts public service advertisements by or on behalf of a government department from the prohibition of advertisements having ‘any relation to any industrial dispute’.

(d) may show partiality as respects matters of political or industrial controversy or relating to current public policy

Notes to Section 4:

(1) The purpose of this prohibition is to prevent well-funded organisations from using the power of television advertising to distort the balance of political debate. The rule reflects the statutory ban on ‘political’ advertising on television in the Broadcasting Act 1990.

(2) The term ‘political’ here is used in a wider sense than ‘party political’. The rule prevents, for example, issue campaigning for the purpose of influencing legislation or executive action by legislatures either at home or abroad. Where there is a risk that advertising could breach this rule, prospective advertisers should seek guidance from licensees before developing specific proposals.

(3) The setting of standards and investigation of complaints in relation to political advertising have not been contracted out to BCAP and the ASA and remain matters for Ofcom.  The ASA refers complaints about political advertising to Ofcom.