OMA rejects government regulation of outdoor advertising
The Outdoor Media Association is opposing government regulation of outdoor advertising saying the recommendations made to the Queensland government based on the Inquiry into sexually explicit outdoor advertising “will have serious implications for advertisers”.
The report recommends ads featuring adult themes be reviewed by the Advertising Standards Bureau automatically, all outdoor ads to carry information of how people can lodge a complaint and a review board to assess complaints and refer any breaches of a code of ethics to the Attorney General in Queensland, who can decide on any fines to apply.
The OMA has acknowledged the release of the Health and Community Service Committee’s report from the Inquiry, however have said “the recommendations are inconsistent with the tone and substance of the findings of the committee”.
Advertising bodies had urged the inquiry to reject a push for greater regulation of outdoor advertising over concerns from Christian groups in the state, about what they argue is the “sexually explicit” nature of some outdoor content.
self regulation makes no sense at all. Imagine motorists being given self regulation of the speed limit, or liquor selling venues been given self regulation of trading hours. Impartial regulation can only be consistently acheived by a group that does not have a prejudicial relationship to the standard being regulated.