That Controversial Lamb Ad Has Been Officially Banned After Months Of Debate
"It was never the intention of MLA to discriminate against or vilify any religious group."
Remember that lamb ad a couple of months back featuring a bunch of religious figures having a backyard barbecue? The ad the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB) decided was fine, after more than 200 complaints? Well, it turns out that after an independent review, the advertising watchdog has decided it might be a little dodgy after all.
The television commercial for Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) sparked controversy in September for depicting a number of deities — including Jesus, Zeus and Lord Ganesha, plus an alien for some reason — sharing a yarn over a plate of lamb.
Members of Australia’s Hindu community were particularly upset, with many feeling the depiction of Ganesha was offensive given that he is a vegetarian. There were also objections to a line about “the elephant in the room”. The Indian High Commission even lodged an official complaint with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
According to the review, the initial decision was “clearly in error”. It also found that the producers of the ad failed to give adequate attention to “how seriously some Australians take their religious views.”
The MLA said that it “respectfully disagrees” with the ruling.
“It was never the intention of MLA to discriminate against or vilify any religious group,” the organisation said in a statement, while also confirming that the ad “is no longer being broadcast”.
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h/t Ad News