Press release - 10 May 2012

ASA billboard ruling dangerous, says NZ Christian Network

New Zealand Christian Network says a recent ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority against a billboard erected by Napier’s Equipper’s Church is dangerous, and goes beyond its authority.

NZ Christian Network National Director, Glyn Carpenter, says nobody wants to cause any hurt offence, but the board is stepping outside its jurisdiction in treating the billboard like a commercial advertisement.

It has written to the ASA asking it to revise its decision.

“The ASA’s own Advertising Codes of Practice makes it clear it is a watchdog for advertising of goods and services and was not intended to govern church statements of faith or belief,” Mr Carpenter says.

“In effect, the ASA has become the arbiter of what constitutes belief and what constitutes fact, a position for which it has neither the authority nor expertise to exercise.

“In ruling that a statement of belief constitutes a statement of fact, the ASA has interfered with the right to freedom of speech contained in the NZ Bill of Rights, and as such should not be allowed to stand.”

NZ Christian Network’s contention is backed by a Professor of Law at Otago University, Rex Ahdar. An opinion piece by Professor Ahdar can be read at the NZCN website, http://nzchristiannetwork.org.nz/networks/political/freedom-or-speech/1029-offensive-billboard-or-offensive-ruling.html

ENDS

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