The Muslim mayor of London, Shadiq Khan, has recently ordered that all advertising in the city, especially in the subway system, no longer carry images and photographs of beautiful women models. Khan stated that no one should have to be exposed to advertisements that might cause body issues with women, especially young women.
Khan said, “No one’s confidence or body image should be undermined by ads on our transport system.”
The local London media has previously mentioned a campaign called “Beach Body” which caused the feminists in the country to ignite into furious anger recently. The ad has been banned by England’s advertising authority after feminists called the campaign nothing more than “fat shaming” and threatened to bomb the company’s headquarters if the ads were not taken down.
“As the father of two daughters, ” Mayor Khan said, “I am extremely concerned about this type of advertising which can demean people, particularly women, and make them ashamed of their bodies. It’s high time it came to an end. Nobody should feel pressurized while they travel on the Tube or the bus into unrealistic expectations surrounding their bodies and I want to send a clear message to the advertising industry about this.”
London’s Mayor Shadiq Khan
The advertising agency agreed to abide by the mayor’s edict and has set up an internal committee to study the matter and to ensure that future ads conform to the mayor’s orders.
The director of London’s subway system responsible for the advertisements on the trains, Graeham Craig, said, “Advertising on our network is unlike in TV, online and print media. Our customers simply cannot switch off or turn a page if an advertisement offends or upsets them and we have a duty to ensure the copy we carry reflects that unique environment.”
There is no such thing a freedom of speech in England.
PHOTO CREDITS: The London Evening Standard / Wikimedia Commons