Results of controversial ad code review delayed
The publication of the results of a review of the advertising codes, which included controversial proposals that may lead to ads for pregnancy advice services being broadcast, has been delayed because of the volume of responses received.
The Advertising Standards Authority says it has received over 4,000 responses to the consultation over changes to the Committee for Advertising Practice and Broadcast Committee for Advertising Practice codes, launched earlier this year.
Results were expected to be published in the autumn but are not expected until next year.
The consultation includes proposals to allow family planning or pregnancy advice services to be broadcast on TV after the 9pm watershed.
The proposals were the subject of an organised and sustained campaign by anti-abortion lobby groups. Groups such as the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) heavily leafleted sympathetic individuals.
A spokesman for the ASA says: “Cap and BCap are currently carefully assessing all the responses and anticipate publishing their evaluation of the consultation along with the new advertising codes in the first quarter of 2010”.
