UK Bans Iceland’s New Christmas Ad For Being “Too Political”
Iceland (a store chain in the UK, not to be mixed with the country of the same name) has recently created a TV advertisement, focusing on how the wide use of palm oil impacts the environment. It mostly focused on the deforestation that the industry causes in Malaysia and Indonesia but the ad was banned from the air for being “too political”.
The massive deforestation leads to the destruction of orangutans’ natural habitats and the Orangutan Foundation International say that the palm oil industry causes up to 5,000 orangutan deaths each year. Iceland’s ad focused on this issue – it featured an orangutan named Rang-Tan who feared the loss of his home but despite the good intentions it still got banned. “[We wanted] to raise awareness of rainforest destruction caused by palm oil production, and its devastating impact on the critically endangered orangutan. […] However, it has been ruled our advert will not appear on TV alongside other supermarkets,” said a representative of Iceland.
Clearcast, the company that vets the ads before being aired said it does not comply with the Communications Act 2003. Whether or not you agree with the company’s decision, the advert is still shocking and relevant – check it out in the gallery below.
More info: Iceland | Orangutan Foundation International | h/t
Iceland has recently created a new Christmas advertisement but it was banned from the air for being “too political”
The UK retailer has been focusing on many environmentally friendly initiatives, including removing palm oil from their products
Image credits: Danrok
The ad was voiced by Emma Thompson, a British actress, author, and activist
Image credits: Garry Knight
It featured an orangutan named Rang-Tan
The ad was originally a short movie by Greenpeace and focused on palm oil and the damage it causes
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that’s used in many household items and food products
Image credits: 3dman_eu
The palm oil industry causes massive deforestation in regions like Malaysia and Indonesia
It is estimated that around 2,5 million acres of rainforest are lost every year
Image credits: Hayden
The Orangutan Foundation International say that the palm oil industry causes up to 5,000 orangutan deaths each year
The destruction of orangutans’ natural habitats caused all three remaining species to be classified as critically endangered
Image credits: Brett Jordan
“[We wanted] to raise awareness of rainforest destruction caused by palm oil production, and its devastating impact on the critically endangered orangutan”
“However, it has been ruled our advert will not appear on TV alongside other supermarkets,” said a representative of Iceland
Clearcast, the company that vets the ads before being aired said it does not comply with the Communications Act 2003
Whether or not you agree with the company’s decision, the advert is still shocking and relevant
See the full advertisement and decide for yourself
Many people were surprised by the ban
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