The Perth Voice have reported that the Western Australian AIDS Council have been referred to the Australian Advertising Standards Bureau for a recent advertisement printed in their own publication.
The ad was reported to the Standards Bureau for ‘featuring explicit information about gay sex’ according to the Voice.
The Voice and sister publication Fremantle Herald have received eight complaints on the matter, eliciting a public response from MLC Phil Edman.
Why Can’t the WA Aids Council be more discreet?! Ad in Fremantle Herald community newspaper! pic.twitter.com/MNKMTHSsnW
— Phil Edman (@phil_edman) July 20, 2015
The WA AIDS Council revealed this is the first time they have attempted to use more provocative advertising outside of LGBTIQ media circles. Previous tactics had failed to entice participants, however the council told the Voice that they had sold out their forums for the very first time.
Council chair Jonathan Hallett told press that the WAAC will review their advertising content so as to not offend in the future.
Perth Voice have stood firm in their decision to run the advertisement, showing their support for the AIDS Council. Voice editor Andrew Smith wrote to the WAAC after Mr Edman’s tweet drew public ire.
“We see your campaign and the way you went about it as confronting and challenging, but nonetheless appropriate under the circumstances – ie, a hard to reach target audience and a lack of success in other media outlets – and successful,” Smith wrote.
Mr Edman’s office has been contacted for comment.
OIP Staff
