Condom ads can seldom be misleading, right? I mean, how the hell do you promote something which covers your genitals? So, advertisers go for the next best thing: aesthetics. Implied meaning. That’s how you get work done euphemistically, without setting off glaring alarms.
But, even this came to a fall in front of Pakistan’s Media board.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has recently ordered TV and Radio channels to stop airing advertisements meant for contraceptive or birth control products.
All media outlets in the country were issued with a notification, which called for an immediate ceasing of advertisements which promoted condoms and other birth control devices and products. The notification read,
“General public is very much concerned on the exposure of such products to the innocent children, which get inquisitive on features/use of the products.”
This follows the ban on a condom advertisement last year which was supposedly ‘immoral’ to the Pakistani authorities.
While parents and religious organisations are in favour of this ban, Pakistan’s liberal citizens have condemned it, citing the fact that it goes against the Pakistani Government’s population control programmes.
A debate has started in the country on this very regressive and, not to mention extreme, action taken by the Government, and it has led to the authorities at PEMRA to backtrack their decision. A new notice by PEMRA said,
“In the larger public interest, PEMRA, recognizing both shades of opinion in our society, has decided to put this decision for vetting to its board for further deliberations.”
Until they reach a new decision, the advertisements are not to be aired during the times children will be expected to watch television.
Meanwhile, social media has erupted on this issue and the tweets coming in from Twitter are everything from funny, to sarcastic, to downright brutal.
Pakistan has decided to withdraw its ban on condom adds, which is the only time pulling out has actually helped prevent pregnancy
— Will Nicholson (@SireWilliamN) May 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/rage_chaos/status/736867845032796160
Rapid population growth is a major problem that confronts #Pakistan, but the Mullah's at #Pemra thinks banning condom ads can help.
— Syed Farrukh Abbas (@farrukh_abbas12) May 28, 2016
I was perturbed by the ban on Udta Punjab but then Pakistan banned condom ads, comforting to know that there are people stupider than us.
— Robinhood Pandey (@roflbaba) May 28, 2016
Nuclear Pakistan is afraid of Condom ads
— Zalmay Azad (@KZalmay) May 28, 2016
Advertising in pakistan has reached a point where it is impossible to differentiate between a condom, a fairness cream, or a juice/drink ad.
— 𝙐 𝙈 𝘼 𝙍 (@Keyb0ardMujahid) April 30, 2016
Pakistan also claims its right for Kohinoor …give them that condom #Kohinoordiamond
— Sundeep Sharma (@sundeepshawarma) April 20, 2016
While the war wages on for this questionable decision by the Pakistani Government, what are your thoughts?
News source: CNN
Cover image source