Good News - Disgusting TORL adverts taken off air!

[Patricia]

Broadcast Ban on Human Rights Ads ‘deeply disappointing’
Statement by the Immigrant Council of Ireland

A ban on a radio advertising campaign highlighting human rights abuses in the Irish sex trade is deeply disappointing, according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

A campaign involving three advertisements on Newstalk Radio has been halted by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The content was to highlight the human trafficking and other human rights abuses associated with the running of brothels in Ireland.

Denise Charlton, CEO, of the Immigrant Council of Ireland said:

“We are deeply disappointed that one of the avenues which we have been using to highlight the abuse of women in communities across Ireland has been closed down to us.

As one of over 50 groups which form the ‘Turn off the Red Light’ campaign we are committed to using every opportunity to inform people as well as political representatives on the threats, abuse and violence which lies at the centre of the sex trade.

We are disappointed that the BAI has ruled the ads were towards a political end, apparently rejecting the fact that representatives of all political parties as well as Independent TDs and Senators have been supporting our efforts. Together we are working towards closing a legal loop-hole which allows payment for sex in Ireland.

The decision stands in stark contrast to the open view the Commission has taken to similar campaigns on TV and radio highlighting human rights abuses in other parts of the world. Highlighting the abuse of rights here is surely just as valid.

The radio ads remain on the the website of the Turn off The Red Light Campaign. We have been greatly encouraged by the interest all media outlets have taken in our efforts and will use every possible platform to inform the public on this important issue into the future.”

ENDS

[Patricia]

[Patricia]

[Patricia]

http://www.thejournal.ie/immigrant-c...75126-Jun2012/

[Patricia]

Transcripts of the Adverts:

If you pay for sex, here's what you're buying into. Many women, and girls, are being brought to Ireland to work as prostitutes against their will. No matter how you try to convince yourself, the sex is never consensual. She is being forced. Prostitutes suffer extreme physical, sexual and psychological harm. The only solution is to penalise people who buy sex, and decriminalise those who are forced to sell themselves.

Paying for sex, what's the real cost? Alcohol and drug abuse, sexually transmitted infections that go hand in hand with unprotected sex with strangers, and psychological scars. Having been brought to Ireland and prostituted against their will the victims lose what little sense of self remains one punter at a time. The only way to help is to penalise the punters and decriminalise the women. End sex trafficking now. Visit TurnOffTheRedLight.ie to see what you can do.

When you pay for sex, you need to know the cost. You are enabling and encouraging criminals in the sex industry to trap, traffick and exploit the world's most vulnerable children to sell for sex in Ireland. The only way to help these children is to criminalise the buyers of sex. End sex trafficking now. Visit TurnOffTheRedLight.ie to see what you can do.

[Patricia]

It seems the adverts were taken down in response to a complaint from this gentleman - https://twitter.com/#!/Pidge

He commented on the Journal article as follows:

I was the complainant in this case. My complaint was not based on disagreement with the TORL cause (although I am uncertain about it), but on the principle that broadcast advertising should not be used to advance political causes in this country. It would create a situation where groups (well-intentioned or otherwise) would be able to buy time to promote their cause on TV and radio.

This gives an advantage to groups which are well-funded over groups which are not. I would not like, for example, to see IBEC paying for advertising advocating lowering the minimum wage, while less-well off groups would not be able to respond. The proper place for political debate is in the show itself, not in the advertising. This is the only way that all sides can have their voices heard.

The ad in question (here: http://soundcloud.com/user8775316/tu...e-red-light-ad ) is very clearly aimed at a political objective, something which is not only against the Broadcasting Act, but – in my view – wrong. Were the campaign aiming to raise awareness, I would have no objection to the ad, but it is clearly aimed at a lobbying for a legislative change.

[Patricia]

Although these are not the reasons the BAI took the adverts down, my key objections to them are:

1.) They promote a shocking and extremely inaccurate image of paid sex being all about trafficking, unprotected sex and children. This is a big lie designed to cause shock and outrage and win them more support and funding.


2.) They brand all paid for sex as non consensual. This lie has especially harmful consequences for sex workers. By promoting the concept that all persons who sell sex are forced to do so, they are taking away from the rights of sex workers to have control, to set limits, to say no, to not be treated like victims with no choices or human rights.


3.) The whole "The only solution..." to trafficking and child prostitution is to criminalise adults purchasing sex from other consenting adults is another complete lie. We already have laws against trafficking and child prostitution, including laws again a person buying sex from a trafficked or underage person. They want to bring in a new law to criminalise consenting adults buying sex from other consenting adults, but instead of telling the truth they bombard the public with these rotten lies.


4) TORL and Ruhama repeatedly say they are fighting for the criminalisation of persons who buy sex and the decriminalisation of those who sell sex. This is another vile lie. They have never specified what they mean to decriminalise here, but selling sex is not a crime currently and you cannot decriminalise what is not illegal currently. Many sex workers believe the laws that force them to work alone in order to work legally put sex workers' safety at risk. But do not imagine Ruhama and TORL could mean they want to see the end of these laws, as they have already stated on many occasions they believe sex workers not being forced to work alone would "only help the pimps".


Another thing that gets me, not in the radio ads, but in the ICI statement on the radio ads is this "legal loophole" thing they keep saying. They make out it is only a "legal loophole" that means clients can buy sex legally at present. Ireland has not made a decision to criminalise the purchase of sex, that is what they are looking for, and to do so would be a completely new legal approach, not the closing up of a loophole!

[Patricia]

Thank you Pidge for seeing that these radio ads were wrong and taking the time to make a complaint about them.

[Jack in the Box]

That is great news that this cancerous campaign was halted. A big thank you to Pidge. Not all sex workers are victims. People need to be constantly told that. Downsize, cut the funding or abolish the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Apart from everything else they are only a drain on the taxpayer.

[LaBelleThatcher]

OMG!!!

I missed something I wanted on ebay that went for £1.10 and accidentally recycled my kitchen bin today...so I was expecting some sort of payback from the fairies...BUT NOT THIS MUCH