Ooh Media won’t reinstate controversial pro-Palestine billboard arguing it could incite hatred
Ooh Media has said it will not reinstate the controversial free Palestine billboard which was taken down in Melbourne at the end of last week, citing commentary from political leaders who suggested it could incite hatred and concerns over the safety of contractors working at the site.
A statement released by the outdoor company this morning said: “The advertisement generated significant concern and an emotional response from two differing points of view. It has also been subject to commentary from political leaders who publicly stated their objection to the advertising being displayed, with a Government MP warning that it could incite hatred.”
The billboard was placed by Australians for Palestine with an intended run of 28 days, but was taken down after just three days, with the group describing the removal of the ad as a breach of its freedom of expression, however Victorian Multicultural Affairs Minister Matthew Guy told The Australian: “This type of advertising achieves nothing except to cause more friction in our community.’’
Samah Sabawi, a volunteer for Australians for Palestine, has accused the company of breaching its contract, which had a clause saying there has to be seven days notice given to remove the billboard, however Ooh has rejected this claim, saying it was “within its rights to have taken the course of action it has”.
The billboard, which was located in Melbourne’s Southbank, featured images of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu under the slogan “Apartheid: Wrong In South Africa. Wrong in Palestine”, and a quote from Mandela: “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians” and a quote from Tutu: “Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings”. The ad was placed by Australians for Palestine with an intended run of 28 days.
Originally Ooh had said it had pulled down the board pending decisions from the advertising watchdog and other authorities on whether it breaches advertising rules, although the ASB told Mumbrella earlier this week that it would not be considering around 20 complaints made against the ad as it is about a social issue and consequently falls under the ad watchdog’s political advertising definition.
Ooh Media released a statement acknowledging this and citing political commentary around the ad’s message as one of the reasons for its removal.
“Ooh Media has been informed via the OMA that the ASB will not be reviewing the advertisement as it considers it to involve political advertising, which the ASB does not deal with.
“The advertisement generated significant concern and an emotional response from two differing points of view.
“It has also been subject to commentary from political leaders who publicly stated their objection to the advertising being displayed, with a Government MP warning that it could incite hatred.
“In light of this, advice from third parties and work health and safety concerns, Ooh has decided not to reinstate the advertisement. We will never compromise our responsibilities to our staff, contractors and the public in respect to our advertising sites.”
Ooh Media has also confirmed it has refunded the group, but declined to comment further.
In a statement to Mumbrella today Sabawi added: “The advertisement was truthful and in no way offensive, and furthermore, that its message was informational and educational rather than political. It is shameful that in a democratic country like Australia, such pressure can contradict the opinions of the world’s two most eminent human rights proponents – Mandela and Tutu.”
The ad has been replaced with a billboard for Coopers Brewery Sparkling Ale.
Miranda Ward
Disclaimer: Ooh Media is currently advertising in Mumbrella’s daily email newsletter.
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I am unsure if it incites hatred. It incites anger. Is that illegal now as well?
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Looks like media companies will soon have to employ an Incites Manager.
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Quite simply it is false advertising.
The complexity of the situation in Gaza is completely separate from the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
It is nothing more than FALSE propaganda intended to cause trouble.
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Speaking of APARTHEID, please explain the following : Palestinian Authority President Abbas told reporters in Ramallah Dec 27, 2010,”If there is an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, we will not accept even one single Israeli living there”; and again June 10, 2011 Abbas is quoted by Associated Press telling an emergency session of foreign ministers at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo in mid-May 2011 that “when an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established, we won’t allow the presence of one Israeli in it”.
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You’re charging someone with attempted APARTHEID, do you get any jail-time for that?
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What is Palestine? Can’t seem to find it on a map.
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Funny you should say that Daniel. I have a map from 1947 and I can’t find Israel on it. Root of the problem.
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DBG, we’re living in 2014. If you want to live in 1947 then please leave.
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DBG – stop expressing an opinion or your post will be taken down just like the billboard was taken down.
Now back to work everyone.
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Yes Daniel. I thought that may require a knowledge of history and be too subtle for you.
And darn Nick, you caught me out. Yes “Root of the problem” is an opinion. The other is oft-ignored fact.
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