PEMRA bans condom advert

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 September 2015

PEMRA has issued a ban on the airing of Josh condoms advertisement due to public complaints. The ban emphasizes adherence to socio-cultural and religious norms.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Following public complaints against airing of “objectionable and indecent” advertisement of Josh condoms on television channels, the electronic media’s regulatory body has banned the advert and directed licensees to review it.

Through a letter to all private electronic media licensees, FM radio stations and the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), PEMRA ordered an immediate review of the commercial.

The same advert was banned by PEMRA in July, 2013 after large number of public complaints. It was largely termed objectionable and vulgar.

PEMRA, in its latest directive has pointed out that the advertisement is generally being perceived as indecent, immoral and in sheer disregard to socio-cultural and religious norms.

PEMRA said the content of advertisement contravenes Section 20 (b), (c) & (f) of the PEMRA Act 2007 read with Article 37 (g) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and clauses 14 (1) (3) (d) of Electronic Media Code of Conduct-2015 which inter-alia states that no program/advertisement is to be aired that is obscene or against the generally accepted standards of decency & morality.

PEMRA has, therefore, asked PBA, Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS) and all broadcast licensees to ensure that the advertisement should not be aired unless it is reasonably reviewed and brought in line with the ethos in a way that it may not hurt public sentiments. - INP