Description:
An advertisement appearing on a truck featuring various promotional items, including hoodies and mugs, on which the words “Fuck Hamas” appeared.
Complaint:
The complainant considered the ad offensive due to the public display of language which they found inappropriate.
Response:
The advertiser acknowledged that some may find the language used in the ad to be offensive but defended their right to use such language as well as the complainant’s right to be offended.
Decision:
Council considered the advertiser’s response together with the ad and its placement.
It was noted that the ad appeared on a truck, making it visible to people of all ages at all time. It was also noted that the ad included the full expression of the profanity. As a result, because of the public nature of this ad, Council determined that the use of offensive language in a public setting offended standards of public decency.
On this basis, Council unanimously found that the use of the offensive word in full within the ad displayed on a truck contravened Clause 14(d), which prohibits displaying obvious indifference to, gratuitously and without merit, conduct or attitudes that offend the standards of public decency prevailing among a significant segment of the population.
Infraction:
Clause 14(d)
