Dublin Chamber claims 'gagging' over ads

Dublin Chamber of Commerce has claimed it is being gagged by broadcasting watchdogs.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce has claimed it is being gagged by broadcasting watchdogs.

The business lobby has seen the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ban radio adverts highlighting poor transport and infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

The "Think Discuss Vote" campaign was intended to encourage voter participation in identifying key issues and was non-political.

The BCI told the Chamber that the advertisements could be deemed to be directed towards a political end and that they were in breach of a new advertising code, introduced in April 2007.

READ MORE

"The voice of Dublin Business is being gagged by a creeping bureaucracy preaching political correctness," said Chamber CEO Gina Quinn.

"The tone of this advertising campaign was politically neutral and concentrated on getting voters to think before they vote by ensuring a proper debate on the issues affecting the Greater Dublin Area.

The Chamber claims that broadcasting legislation is being interpreted too strictly and that the views of all interest groups should be represented on the airwaves.

"Dublin Chamber is concerned that censorship is occurring which prevents any representative organisation from carrying out their raison d'etre," Ms Quinn added.

The series of three radio advertisements were to be aired on RTÉ Radio and Newstalk and would focus on the future population growth in the Greater Dublin Area, the capital's role as a knowledge city and the importance of transport development.