Powerless ASA

Political Advertising and the ASA
From an Advertising Standards Authority, ASA, web page.

Political Advertising. Why can’t the ASA help
Non Broadcast Advertising.

Any advertisement whose purpose is to persuade voters, in a local, national or international election or referendum is not covered by the advertising Code.

Such ads are exempt from the code because under the 1998 Human Rights Act’s provisions on freedom of speech, an ASA ruling could be considered to be interfering unduly with the democratic process.

This means that non-broadcast ads, such as those appearing on posters, newspapers, cinemas and leaflets, do not have to comply with the same strict rules that other ads have to adhere to.

Barrie says: For Westminster creatures,lying for votes, would seem to be a human right! But are they human?