The Commercials Advice regulatory body - a free-to-air television watchdog - has stopped a commercial involving prominent and controversial South Australian scientist Dr Tim Flannery, from being screened. The decision has sparked claims of political interference.The advertisement for the Solar Shop in Adelaide features Flannery, describing climate change as, "the greatest threat facing humanity". The statement was rejected by the watchdog.
The Solar Shop's managing director, Adrian Ferraretto, says he believes an indirect reference in the commercial to Australia's rejection of the Kyoto Protocol may have triggered the ban.
What both Flannery and Ferraretto fail to realise, either by choice or ignorance, is that Australian advertising bodies are very hot on claims that are subjective or can not be proven.
