ALBA have accused a UK advertising giant of censorship after it rejected a party advert depicting the Prime Minister as an oil-thirsty vampire.
The party hit out at Global Media, which owns a number of Britain’s biggest commercial radio stations and a major advertising arm, after the company refused to host its provocative billboard advertisement hitting out at Rishi Sunak.
The ad in question was a reworking of the SNP’s famous “It’s Scotland’s Oil” campaign, which depicted former prime minister Margaret Thatcher as a fanged demon feasting on Scottish petroleum.
Global rejected the advert, alleging Alba’s depiction of the Prime Minister was slanderous.
Big Media didn’t want you to see this campaign that highlights Westminster seizing Scotland's vast energy resources that are worth £16,000 to every man, woman & child in the country. Beat the censors and share the message. It’s Scotland’s Oil. Join ALBA: https://t.co/Jveyc2EmgT pic.twitter.com/WMsXYKNVyM
— ALBA Party (@AlbaParty) August 16, 2023
In an email to the party published by the BBC, the advertising firm said: “The only political messages we allow to run are basic messages such as vote for us, but not when a party is slandering someone."
Now Alba have accused the company, whose board is chaired by Scottish-born Labour peer Charles Allen, the Baron Allen of Kensington, of censorship.
Chris McEleny, the party’s general secretary, urged the company to reconsider its position.
He told The National: “Our proposed advert was a completely legitimate means of getting across the important point that Scotland’s enormous North Sea oil reserves are being plundered by Westminster and being used to feed the economic folly of the UK Government.
“Global are trying to censor Alba but there is no hiding the fact that Westminster are feeding off of Scotland’s natural resources.
“The proposal that we can run an advertising campaign but only if it doesn’t contain the image or any political messaging whatsoever is completely ridiculous.
“It misses the entire point that big corporations shouldn’t get to pick and choose what political messages the public get to see in Scotland.
“Political campaign adverts are part of the culture of the democratic process, it would be a very boring world if we accepted a situation that the only political adverts that are acceptable are those with a message ‘vote for us’ next to a party logo. Global Media should think again.”
Global reported an overall operating profit of £57.8 million in its most recent company accounts.
The firm was approached for comment.
