SHOULD we ban digital ads for fossil fuel companies, and unhealthy foods?
This question will come up at a Wokingham Borough Council meeting next week.
Last year Adblock Reading & Wokingham, part of the Adfree Cities group, raised a petition against the installation of digital ad screens at Wokingham bus shelters.
They were unsuccessful, and with the screens now in place, they are concerned about the kind of adverts that can be displayed.
They are working to persuade the council to ban certain kinds of advertising, including for fossil fuel companies, and related products such as air travel, and SUVs, as well as for foods high in fat, salt and sugar.
Other councils around the country have implemented such bans.
Adblock has met the borough council leader, emailed councillors, departments and committees and asked questions at a meeting of the Climate Emergency Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
They understand a new advertising and sponsorship policy is being worked on, but have been given no details.
Clive Jones MP has also contacted the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ask for the Town and Country Planning Regulations to be amended to include the content of adverts.
These are guidelines councils must follow regarding the effect of advertising on surrounding environment, and safety – including driver distraction.
But they make no mention of content or effects of what the advertisements display.
The council’s revised advertising and sponsorship policy will be discussed at a public meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee next week, on Monday, June 23, at 7pm.
For information, visit: adfreecities.org.uk/adblock-reading
