A controversial anti-bullying ad campaign banned by regulators from being shown on TV is being broadcasted by Community Channel.
The ad shows a teenage girl sewing her mouth closed to symbolise how victims feel silenced by bullies.
It was made in memory of bullied schoolgirl Megan Gillan, who committed suicide last year after she was bullied online and at school. Megan’s family has fully backed the campaign in the hope that no other families suffer the same tragic loss.
The ad was banned by TV regulators Clearcast, formerly The Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre (BACC); but after the issue was raised in the House of Commons by MP Anne Maguire and following an appeal, the ban was lifted.
Community Channel, which is owned and run by communications charity Media Trust, will be the first broadcaster to air the ad.
The film was made by M&C Saatchi for Beatbullying’s Cybermentoring anti-bullying campaign, a digital peer-to-peer group in which young people support each other online.
Emma-Jane Cross, Chief Executive of Beatbullying said: “We’re delighted that Community Channel has taken up our cause and is the first TV channel to broadcast our ad campaign. We hope that others will follow [its] lead.”
Mark Dodd, Media Trust’s Digital Media Director, said: “We believe this ad campaign carries a vital message that bullying in any form is not acceptable, and hope that it will help prevent tragic cases like that of Megan Gillan ever happening again.”
About Community Channel
Community Channel is dedicated to engaging people with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement. Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world. The channel is broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and from 6 to 9 a.m. on Freeview 87. Community Channel is a Media Trust initiative.
About Media Trust
Media Trust is a national charity that believes everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to be heard. It works with media organizations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice. It owns and runs Community Channel, the UK’s only national channel to be run by a charity.
Corporate members include BBC, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Disney Channel UK, Guardian Media Group, IPC Media, ITV, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, OMD, Sky, Virgin Media TV and Warner Bros.
