ASA attacks ad at site of de Menezes shooting

The Advertising Standards Authority has slammed film distributor Lion
Gate UK for advertising a film called Righteous Kill at Stockwell tube
station the day before the inquest into the shooting of Jean Charles de
Menezes.

The ad, created by Tea, sho…

Righteous%20KillThe Advertising Standards Authority has slammed film distributor Lion Gate UK for advertising a film called Righteous Kill at Stockwell tube station the day before the inquest into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.

The ad, created by Tea, showed actors Robert De Niro and Al Pacino walking to-gether against a backdrop of the New York skyline and the text: “There’s nothing wrong with a little shooting as long as the right people get shot”.

The ASA ruled that the siting of the poster, where de Menezes was shot by Metropolitan police officers in the aftermath of the July 7 bombings, had potential to cause serious offence. The watchdog, which pressed for investigation itself, conceded that its posting a day ahead of the inquest in September was “unintentional”.

Meanwhile, the campaign, which also ran as a press ad, received further complaints for glamorising violence and gun crime. The six complaints were not upheld.

The ASA ruled the poster reflected the content of the film and the quote was intended to be “wryly humorous”. It added the ads were unlikely to be seen as irresponsible or glorify gun crime.

Meanwhile, it has ruled that a TV ad for film Bangkok Dangerous must not be broadcast before the 9pm watershed, following complaints that it glorifies violence.