Videos from perfume brand Laird Shot sparked outrage among a large section of social media users, who claimed that the ad sought to promote sexual violence against women.
An ad by a perfume company for ‘promoting gang rape culture’ sparked outrage on social media. Following the outcry, the I&B ministry on Saturday asked Twitter and YouTube to remove the videos of the advertisement from their social media platforms.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a letter to Twitter and YouTube, said the video is “harmful to the portrayal of women in the interest of civilization and morality” and is in violation of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct).
Videos from perfume brand Laird Shot sparked outrage among a large section of social media users, who claimed that the ad sought to promote sexual violence against women.
An official spokesperson said, “It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that an inappropriate and derogatory advertisement of a deodorant is being circulated on social media. The ministry has asked Twitter and YouTube to immediately remove all instances of this advertisement ” Told.
In a letter to Twitter and YouTube, the ministry said the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has also found the video in violation of its guidelines and has asked the advertiser to suspend the advertisement on an immediate basis.
“Anger at cringeworthy ads for perfume ‘Shot’. They show toxic masculinity at its worst and clearly promote gang rape culture! The owners of the company must be held accountable. Issued notice to Delhi Police And have written a letter to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting to register an FIR. And take strict action,” Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal said.
Rishita, herself a social media influencer, said on Twitter, “How do such ads get sanctioned, sick and disgusting. Is @layerr_shot full of distortions? Another ad from Shot with such hateful content.”
ASCI said on Twitter, “The advertisement is a serious violation of the ASCI Code and is against the public interest. We have taken immediate action and have informed the advertiser to suspend the advertisement.”