Commission must justify bizarre ban

THE peremptory decision of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to ban a Trocaire advertisement highlighting the inequalities facing women in the developing world is absolutely ludicrous.

To claim it is in breach of broadcasting laws which rule out ads with a political or religious objective is nonsensical. What planet is the BCI on?

Of course the ad in question has a political end — but it is directed at the Third World where the inequalities faced by women are graphically documented. How often have we seen TV pictures from regions riven with HIV-AIDS, where women with starving children queue interminably for aid to feed their families?

It is unacceptable that the BCI, which should not be above scrutiny, is not obliged to justify its actions.

If any good has come of this, it is the publicity for Trocaire’s campaign and the plight of women.