In response to a rise in the number of complaints to the ASA about violent imagery in advertising, we held a seminar to listen directly to public concerns.

This is a note of the event, which included hearing from organisations and individuals who held concerns about violence in society.

Issues considered by participants included:
 

  • Adverts for violent films and games – for example, should there be restrictions on where such adverts appear?
  • Adverts featuring knives and guns – for example, what elements of an advert might glamorise or condone guns or knives?
  • Adverts showing other types of violence,  including cartoon violence and domestic violence
The seminar considered what differentiates a tasteless advert from one that is likely to cause harm or provoke violence and helped inform the ASA’s decision making in this area.

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