Outrage at ‘bishop’ ad on TV

Sydney
13 July 2003

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Outrage at ‘bishop’ ad on TV

A television and website promotion for a Sydney radio station has caused widespread offence in the community because it holds “one of the most sacred beliefs of the Church” up to ridicule.

Lawyer Sebastian Busa, of Lurnea, described the promotion, for radio station 2DayFM, as “just outrageous”.

“They champion liberalism and tolerance and respect of all faiths, sexes and communities and yet they have ridiculed one of the most sacred beliefs of the Church in a most sickening provocative way,” he said.

Mr Busa, who at 26 is in the station’s target market, said he was dismayed at the image used to promote a poll on the radio station’s website that is targeted at young people - ‘favourite places to pick up’.

It was of a young woman dressed as a schoolgirl taking communion on the tongue from a young man in full bishop’s regalia.

Mr Busa, a parishioner at St Francis Xavier’s Church in Lurnea, said it was also a “perverse affront to women and children” to use an image that “sexualised” young schoolgirls.

He was one of many people to write or call to complain about what they perceived to be a tasteless and insensitive advertisement.

Peter Rodrigues, 31, a lawyer and parishioner of All Hallows Church, Five Dock, was also among those who expressed concern about the provocative image.

“For any Christians who take their faith seriously, what the station is suggesting with that image is highly offensive,” he said.

Carmel Taffa, women’s ministry co-ordinator in the Catholic chaplaincy team at the University of Sydney, also wrote to protest against the “scandalous” advertisement.

Louise Webb, administrative manager at the Advertising Standards Bureau, said the bureau had also received a “significant number” of complaints about the ad.

“However, our understanding from the advertiser is that this ad is no longer running and will not be on again so we will not be proceeding any further,” she said.

This is because the board asks for the removal or amendment of ads that attract complaints it upholds.

The Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Mons Tony Doherty, spokesman for the Sydney Archdiocese, warned against “feeding the monster by drawing attention to the latest outrage”.

“Advertising depends on catching the attention of a dozy audience,” he said. “Shock and controversy are the triggers they use.”

Nevertheless advertisers can be sensitive to concerns from the public if they are made aware of them directly, he said.

2DayFM declined to comment.

Complaints to the Advertising Standards Bureau should include the name of the advertiser and the product, a description of the advertisement including when and where it was heard or seen, and the reasons for concern plus the sender’s postal address.

Advertising Standards Bureau contact details: Level 2, 97 Northbourne Ave, Turner ACT 2612; phone (02) 6262 9822; fax (02) 6262 9833; email is via the bureau’s website, www.advertisingstandardsbureau.com.au.