The phrase “China welcomes you” has been removed from a bus advertisement for Thai actor Nodt Nutthasid’s fan meeting following a public outcry, the Taipei Public Transportation Office said yesterday, but added that the ad’s use of simplified characters did not contravene regulations.
The advertisement generated controversy over its message: “Nutthasid, China welcomes you,” and saying in simplified Chinese characters that the Thai actor was going to “meet his fans when flowers are blossoming” and “travel with fans all year around.”
The ad, which was reportedly purchased by a Nutthasid fan from China, was designed by the Taipei-based advertising firm Fishing Song Develop. Su Heng (蘇恆), a member of the China-leaning New Party and an independent candidate for Taipei city councilor, is a board member of the company.
Photo courtesy of the Democratic Progressive Party New Taipei City Council caucus
Although the firm removed the word “China” from the advertisement, the text is still written in simplified characters, the transportation office said.
Office section head Kuo Hsien-wen (郭?文) said that the agency only reviews how an advertisement is displayed and whether it would compromise safety.
All advertising content is permissible as long as it does not contradict good customs and morality, contain exaggerated or false content, encourage consumption of tobacco, alcohol or drugs, or compromise bus safety, Kuo said.
Only political campaign advertisements are subject to office approval, he said.
“We did not review the bus advertisement for Nutthasid’s fan meeting in advance because they are commercial advertisements. The advertising firm should control the quality of the content itself,” Kuo said.
“After reviewing complaints about the advertisement, we decided that it does not contravene any laws or regulations,” he said, adding that the advertisement is to run until Nov. 7.
Based on the Rules for Advertisements on Buses in Taipei City (台北市公共汽車設置車廂外廣告注意事項), text and images on ads on the outside of public buses should not include content that obstructs good social customs, distorts facts, advertises cigarettes, or contravenes laws and regulations. Advertisements must be posted or painted on the vehicle’s exterior, and should not be installed in ways that would change the structure of the bus, hinder the opening of safety doors or prevent the breaking of safety windows.
Taipei City Councilor Hsu Chia-pei (許家蓓) of the Democratic Progressive Party said that the office only reviewed the content of the advertisement after receiving multiple complaints.
“Even though Taiwan protects freedom of speech, the advertisement minimizes the status of Taiwan as a country. Taipei city buses will become a propaganda tool for the Chinese Communist Party if the city government does nothing,” she said.
The advertising firm would not have changed the content if not for pressure from people online and city councilors, Hsu said.
“China has intensified efforts to infiltrate Taiwan. The Taipei City Government should consider changing the standards it adopts to review content in transit advertising and strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and ensuring that national dignity is not compromised,” she said.
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