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Iceland’s New Christmas Ad Gets Banned For Being “Too Political”
Iceland, a UK-based retail store chain, reported that their new Christmas ad was banned off TV. The advert, that was originally a short film made by Greenpeace, focuses on palm oil and its dangers to the environment, especially the rampant deforestation in such regions like Malaysia and Indonesia, where more than 2,5 million acres of rainforest are lost every year. The cutting of trees to make space for oil palms has led to a severe orangutan population drop with 3 remaining species categorized as critically endangered. According to the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), it is estimated that between 1,000 to 5,000 orangutans are killed in Palm Oil concessions every year.
The advert focuses on an orangutan character named Rang-Tan and expresses fear and concern towards loss of natural habitat and the looming threat of extinction to the orangutan species. “[We wanted] to raise awareness of rainforest destruction caused by palm oil production, and its devastating impact on the critically endangered orangutan. […] However, it has been ruled our advert will not appear on TV alongside other supermarkets” reported Iceland’s representative. According to Clearcast, the company responsible for vetting advertisements before broadcasting, Rang-Tan’s story was too political to be shown on screens and was not compliant with the 2003 Communications Act, therefore not suitable for being shown on TV. Watch the video below and tell us if you think Clearcast’s decision was right.
More info: Iceland | Orangutan Foundation International
RELATED:
Recently, Iceland’s new Christmas advert was banned from the TV
Iceland is a UK retailer that’s been focusing on many environmentally friendly initiatives, including removing palm oil from their products
Image credits: Danrok
The ad is voiced by a British actress, author, and activist, Emma Thompson
Image credits: Garry Knight
And features an orangutan character named Rang-Tan
The advert was originally a short movie by Greenpeace, focusing on palm oil and its damage
Palm oil is a widely used type of vegetable oil and is in about 50% of all household and food products
Image credits: 3dman_eu
The rampantly growing palm oil industry has led to massive deforestation
Especially in such areas as Indonesia, where more than 2,5 million acres of rainforest are lost every year
Image credits: Hayden
With the destruction of natural habitat, orangutan numbers have dropped drastically, with estimated 1,000 to 5,000 annual losses
The losses were so huge that all three remaining orangutan species are classified as critically endangered as of today
Image credits: Brett Jordan
“[We wanted] to raise awareness of rainforest destruction caused by palm oil production, and its devastating impact on the critically endangered orangutan”
“However, it has been ruled our advert will not appear on TV alongside other supermarkets” reported Iceland’s representative
According to Clearcast, Rang-Tan’s story was too political to be shown on screens and was not compliant with the 2003 Communications Act
Clearcast is the company responsible for vetting advertisements before broadcasting
Watch the full advert below to see for yourself
After the news of the advert’s ban broke, people had a lot to say
13Kviews
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What do you think ?
Jaguarundi 6 years ago
Well, that adds a new ingredient (palm oil and palm kernel oil) to the ever so long list of things that I won't buy anymore. "Iceland" should have been allowed to run the ad, it didn't seem all that political in my opinion and had a valid point.
Magdalina777 6 years ago
Sad as it is, that'd be pretty hard to do I think. Here at least it seems to be in like 70% of all the food, especially if you take low-mid tier food as opposed to fancy pricy stuff which most people here flatout cannot afford.
Load More Replies...
Patty cake ;3 6 years ago
This shouldn't be banned. If people can't see it then they will never realize the horrible things that deforestation does.
divydumdrop hello 6 years ago
I am trying to advocate for issues such as deforestation from palm oil, littering and pollution. I will show this ad to my high school green club and share it! It needs to be seen.
SykesDaMan 6 years ago
Yes, let's ban this add, and let the Coca-Cola and McDonald's and... and... and ...ones run free! It's not like they're bad for the kids (and adults) health. But they know how to capture Christmas "magic" for the kids!
Helena Ruth 6 years ago
Here in UK I think the ad has actually had more publicity (and views) because it was banned
Christina Sersif 6 years ago
Geez I guess they'd ban all of the anti-smoking commercials in the US then.
Melody Lanzatella 6 years ago
Actually, palm oil is FAR from the only menace to these forests. If they completely killed that industry, there are lots more that cause deforestation to take its place! Additionally, these are impoverished regions. These people are having a hard time understanding why people are attempting to take away their only way to make money for their families. It is just a horrible situation.
Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 6 years ago
Palm oil tastes so disgusting. Can't stand the stuff, so just add one more reason to get rid of the c**p.
Business with Businessman 5 years ago
WATCH LIVE STREAM NFL ROUND AFC DIVISIONAL | patriots-vs-chargers 2019 live on -http://www.allsportslivestream.online/nhllivestream/
Tony Moon 6 years ago
I have to admit my ignorance of the "Palm Oil" issue right up front, but I will become educated. What I do not understand is why or how this could be banned if we live in free societies? It is unfortunate that "Iceland" does not exist in the USA because it would run here, and there is nothing that anyone could do about it except complain. However, I think I will put the video on my Facebook page and hope others will as well. I do have to say, I do love her voice and her acting, and I wish I could see more of her on this side of the pond.
Mals Winter 6 years ago
I never realized the effect palm oil has on animals and their habitat. If it makes me aware of this issue, it could certainly make others aware, and it should certainly be aired on television. I have in fact checked all of my shampoos for palm oil.
Gosiaatje 6 years ago
What a beautiful ad! I can't imagine what a heartless monster you have to be to ban something that is meant to help orangutans 😡
Valeria del Mar 6 years ago
This is heartbreaking, and Clearcast's decision was so not right...but sadly, we are living in a lobbyist's world. Meanwhile today in Germany a petition has been started to help broadcast this ad on British TV: https://www.change.org/p/zeigt-die-verbotene-weihnachts-werbung-im-britischen-fernsehen-nopalmoilchristmas?recruiter=87400861&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=453610
Cat 6 years ago
The Guardian published an investigative article detailing how the UK government planned on breaching the EU restrictions on palm oil input earlier this year. This ad is banned now. What a coincidence... Not!
Cat 6 years ago
Palm oil import. (Not input) PS. Can I please have the option to edit? Clumsy fingers here :/
Load More Replies...
Chris Wilks 6 years ago
It didnt get banned. It was made by a political party so was never going to be allowed.
Ruth Sneddon 6 years ago
Honestly I don't see it that way, I see it as a company trying to use their influence to educate and do something good. That might be overly optimistic of me but even if they are doing it for cynical reason that doesn't mean that the message isn't a good one.
Load More Replies... Jaguarundi 6 years ago
Well, that adds a new ingredient (palm oil and palm kernel oil) to the ever so long list of things that I won't buy anymore. "Iceland" should have been allowed to run the ad, it didn't seem all that political in my opinion and had a valid point.
Magdalina777 6 years ago
Sad as it is, that'd be pretty hard to do I think. Here at least it seems to be in like 70% of all the food, especially if you take low-mid tier food as opposed to fancy pricy stuff which most people here flatout cannot afford.
Load More Replies... Patty cake ;3 6 years ago
This shouldn't be banned. If people can't see it then they will never realize the horrible things that deforestation does.
divydumdrop hello 6 years ago
I am trying to advocate for issues such as deforestation from palm oil, littering and pollution. I will show this ad to my high school green club and share it! It needs to be seen.
SykesDaMan 6 years ago
Yes, let's ban this add, and let the Coca-Cola and McDonald's and... and... and ...ones run free! It's not like they're bad for the kids (and adults) health. But they know how to capture Christmas "magic" for the kids!
Helena Ruth 6 years ago
Here in UK I think the ad has actually had more publicity (and views) because it was banned
Christina Sersif 6 years ago
Geez I guess they'd ban all of the anti-smoking commercials in the US then.
Melody Lanzatella 6 years ago
Actually, palm oil is FAR from the only menace to these forests. If they completely killed that industry, there are lots more that cause deforestation to take its place! Additionally, these are impoverished regions. These people are having a hard time understanding why people are attempting to take away their only way to make money for their families. It is just a horrible situation.
Daniel (ShadowDrakken) 6 years ago
Palm oil tastes so disgusting. Can't stand the stuff, so just add one more reason to get rid of the c**p.
Business with Businessman 5 years ago
WATCH LIVE STREAM NFL ROUND AFC DIVISIONAL | patriots-vs-chargers 2019 live on -http://www.allsportslivestream.online/nhllivestream/
Tony Moon 6 years ago
I have to admit my ignorance of the "Palm Oil" issue right up front, but I will become educated. What I do not understand is why or how this could be banned if we live in free societies? It is unfortunate that "Iceland" does not exist in the USA because it would run here, and there is nothing that anyone could do about it except complain. However, I think I will put the video on my Facebook page and hope others will as well. I do have to say, I do love her voice and her acting, and I wish I could see more of her on this side of the pond.
Mals Winter 6 years ago
I never realized the effect palm oil has on animals and their habitat. If it makes me aware of this issue, it could certainly make others aware, and it should certainly be aired on television. I have in fact checked all of my shampoos for palm oil.
Gosiaatje 6 years ago
What a beautiful ad! I can't imagine what a heartless monster you have to be to ban something that is meant to help orangutans 😡
Valeria del Mar 6 years ago
This is heartbreaking, and Clearcast's decision was so not right...but sadly, we are living in a lobbyist's world. Meanwhile today in Germany a petition has been started to help broadcast this ad on British TV: https://www.change.org/p/zeigt-die-verbotene-weihnachts-werbung-im-britischen-fernsehen-nopalmoilchristmas?recruiter=87400861&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=453610
Cat 6 years ago
The Guardian published an investigative article detailing how the UK government planned on breaching the EU restrictions on palm oil input earlier this year. This ad is banned now. What a coincidence... Not!
Cat 6 years ago
Palm oil import. (Not input) PS. Can I please have the option to edit? Clumsy fingers here :/
Load More Replies... Chris Wilks 6 years ago
It didnt get banned. It was made by a political party so was never going to be allowed.
Ruth Sneddon 6 years ago
Honestly I don't see it that way, I see it as a company trying to use their influence to educate and do something good. That might be overly optimistic of me but even if they are doing it for cynical reason that doesn't mean that the message isn't a good one.
Load More Replies...
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