Transport for London (TfL) will remove advertising for TV show Naked Attraction from the side of some London buses as it is inappropriate and “creepy”.
Many took to social media to criticise Channel 4, TfL and the Global media group for the advertising campaign. Some people described it as “tone deaf”, while others say it put passengers at risk of sexual assault.
The adverts included suggesting that the person sitting in the top front seat “loves being naked”. This also led to concerns for many people that children could be sitting in the indicated seats.
Writer Tracy King voiced her concerns on Twitter: “What the hell is this creepy bus ad? You can’t just label non-consenting passengers like that. Does @Channel4 not know how many sexual assaults take place on buses?”. She adds that advertising agencies should start by asking themselves “does this concept afford the bus user basic dignity, privacy and autonomy?”.
A safe environment
At the start of 2020, a YouGov poll indicated that over half of women using public transport in London have been sexually harassed.
A spokesperson for TfL says the organisation works to make sure public transport is a safe environment for all. “Any report of sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour is investigated and treated extremely seriously”. After reviewing the ad, TfL decided not to let it continue running on their bus network. They say “it will be removed as soon as practicable”.
Meanwhile, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reportedly received a total of 26 complaints regarding the advert. The regulatory body say that complaints specifically “argue that the ad sexualizes members of the public and does so without their consent”.
Channel 4’s dating show Naked Attraction involves nude participants viewed and selected by a potential date. A spokesperson for the channel says, “this ad is based on a Channel 4 entertainment programme. It was not our intention to cause offence and we apologise if it has done so”.
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