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Source: ONE News
Abortion information could be aired for the first time on
British television and radio after a revision of advertising
codes.
Restrictions on condom advertising could also be relaxed as part of
plans aimed at reducing the UK's high rates of teenage pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infection.
Under the proposals, condom ads could be shown before the watershed
time of 9pm.
The proposals will be open to public consultation until June 19 as
part of the review by the Committee of Advertising Practice and the
Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice (BCAP).
Under current codes, only one station, Channel 4, can advertise
condoms after 7pm.
BCAP said the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health had
called for a relaxation of the rules on condom advertising, after a
rise in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections.
Proposed changes to codes for pregnancy advisory services,
including abortion information, were criticised by pro-life
groups.
Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child national director
John Smeaton said the move was unfair.
"We survive on a shoestring. We cannot afford to advertise," he
told The Independent.
A spokesman for the Advertising Standards Authority, which is
overseeing the consultation, told the newspaper: "The proposed rule
on pregnancy advisory services would, in theory, allow abortion
clinics to advertise.
"However, as this service is normally accessed via a referral from
a GP or hospital, it is unlikely that we are going to start seeing
ads for them."
