> Nimbus has to explain ‘racist’ ads

p_sam21

Looks like govt is all keen to take its revenge....

PRIVATE BROADCASTER Nimbus Communication is in trouble for showing two sets of ads — allegedly with racist overtones — on its Neo Sports channel.

The government on Wednesday slapped a notice on Nimbus, asking for an explanation. Nimbus has to file its reply by February 19. Neo Sports faces a minimum 30-day ban if charges of violating the advertising code are proved.

The advertisements, meant to promote the cricket series against West Indies and then Sri Lanka, had led to protests from several social organisations, who lodged complaints with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry headed by Priya Ranjan Das Munshi. The matter is also being heard by the Delhi High Court. HT was the first to report on the ads.

A ministry official, confirming the notice, told HT: “The ads were in bad taste and perceived to be derogatory against citizens of the two countries.” Nimbus chief Harish Thawani said: “I am not aware of any such showcause notice.” Nimbus has always maintained that the ads were not racist.

Safin

what was there in the ads

MA5K · 07:25 PM

outlookindia.com | wired

The ministry took cognizance of the reports saying the ad campaign, with its punchline "Its tough being a West Indian in India", had racial overtones as it showed West Indians in poor light because of their skin colour.

http://shripriya.com/blog/2007/01/24...tasteless-ads/

Ad #1 - A West Indian visitor is at an Indian outdoor dhaba. He takes a mouthful of the curry and his mouth is on fire. As he runs around for water, the waiter walks away, the other guests put their hands in the glasses, drop their dentures in their glasses of water and other things that prevent him from drinking water. Finally, in desperation, he turns to a tap and even that has no water. Tag line - “It is tough to be a West Indian in India “. And then there are images of the West Indian and Indian teams playing cricket.

Ad #2 - A West Indian couple are snuggling on a boat in the middle of a large and serene lake. The boatman looks at them and then he stands. He throws the oar away and then starts disrobing. The couple look at each other, frightened (I thought he was going to rape the poor woman). Then, when he’s down to his chuddies (boxers), he jumps off the boat, leaving the poor couple in the middle of the lake with no oar and the West Indian guy calling out “Hello? Hello maan??”. Tag line - “It is tough to be a West Indian in India”. And then there are images of the West Indian and Indian teams playing cricket.

Safin

go guv go..
i am sure if the government wants it, they can go ahead and ban nimbus over this.. heck if axn wasn't spared for a nothing show, this is far more serious ..after all we can't tolerate racism of windies

(its another matter that our whole society is divided on class lines... but hey, we have to set high standards for the rest of the world citizens

)

p_sam21

Even nimbus will not care for 30 day ban now. After all its business for the year is done ....lol

Safin

lol yeah...

Agnel

Everytime i looked at the ads i used to wonder when this might become an issue. and here it is