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Old 11-08-10, 00:14   #1
Mad Tony
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Default Anti-terrorist hotline ad banned for being 'offensive'

You're probably expecting me to rant about how there was no need to ban this ad but in actual fact I'm glad that it has been banned.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BBC News
A radio advert urging listeners to report suspected terrorists has been banned by a watchdog for potentially offending law-abiding people.

The anti-terrorist hotline ad lists "suspicious" behaviour to look out for from quiet neighbours such as paying by cash and keeping curtains drawn.
It then says: "This may mean nothing but together it could all add up to you having suspicions."

The Advertising Standards Authority ruled it could cause "serious offence".
Some 18 listeners who heard the advert, broadcast on Talksport, complained to the watchdog.

Of those, 10 said it could be offensive to law-abiding citizens, while the rest said it could encourage people to harass or victimise their neighbours and was appealing to people's fear.

In the advert, a man says: "The man at the end of the street doesn't talk to his neighbours much, because he likes to keep himself to himself.
"He pays with cash because he doesn't have a bank card, and he keeps his curtains closed because his house is on a bus route."

It then says: "If you suspect it, report it."

The campaign by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) was aimed at promoting the confidential anti-terrorist hotline.

The Metropolitan Police, speaking on Acpo's behalf, said the ad addressed the issue of terrorists living within communities "and sometimes what appeared to be an insignificant behaviour could potentially be linked to terrorist activities".

It said the behaviour mentioned was based on trends identified by the police and evidence given in court.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10929203

Pretty ridiculous ad if you ask me.
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Old 11-08-10, 00:37   #2
Ward Dragon
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Yeah, that is indeed ridiculous. The behaviors they list are so vague that I'm sure they'd get flooded with reports on innocent people, which would simultaneously put the innocent people through unnecessary stress and distract the police from the real terrorists. I'm sure if anyone notices someone smuggling weapons they'll report it anyway, with or without the advertisement.

Edit: Or rather, thinking back on some disturbing cases where people stood by and watched, I should have said that the ad would not affect whether people would report it.

Last edited by Ward Dragon; 11-08-10 at 00:47.
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Old 11-08-10, 00:45   #3
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Paranoia much? LOL!
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Old 11-08-10, 00:46   #4
Ward Dragon
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Paranoia much? LOL!
Next they'll be telling kids to report on their parents
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Old 11-08-10, 00:46   #5
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Quote:
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Next they'll be telling kids to report on their parents
You know that sounds vaguely familiar from something I read once... 1984 was it? I can't remember
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Old 11-08-10, 00:50   #6
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You know that sounds vaguely familiar from something I read once... 1984 was it? I can't remember
Yeah, and pretty much every other scenario with a harsh all-powerful government
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Old 11-08-10, 00:51   #7
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I thought it would take longer than this for people to start bringing in the 1984 references. Come on, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
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Old 11-08-10, 00:52   #8
Ward Dragon
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Quote:
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I thought it would take longer than this for people to start bringing in the 1984 references. Come on, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Ahead? They're already telling you to spy on your neighbors and report them if you can't see what they're doing every minute of the day. Where else is this going?
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Old 11-08-10, 00:52   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ward Dragon View Post
Yeah, and pretty much every other scenario with a harsh all-powerful government
You've got a point there
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Tony View Post
I thought it would take longer than this for people to start bringing in the 1984 references. Come on, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Hey now, I only brought it up because Ward Dragon's post reminded me
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Old 11-08-10, 00:56   #10
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It's McCarthy all over again.

History does repeat itself.
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