United Kingdom

[GB] Radio advert ruled "political"

IRIS 1997-3:1/18

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

The Court of Appeal has upheld the reasonableness of the decision of the Radio Authority that Amnesty International UK is an "unacceptable advertiser" in terms of the advertising code of practice. The Code stipulates that "No advertisment may be broadcast by, or on behalf of, any body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature." Amnesty International had sought to run a national radio advertising campaign, during 1994, deploring the situation in Rwanda. The Court interpreted the phrase "wholly or mainly" to mean at least 75%, and, in this case, the Master of the Rolls said that " It does appear that a very material proportion of the objects in fact being pursued by [Amnesty International (UK)] are non-political." The Court encouraged Amnesty International (UK) to make a fresh application to the Radio Authority based on the Court's judgement on "the up-to-date information as to [Amnesty International (UK's)] objects."