Thursday, May 31, 2012

ASA Begins Investigation into IAIM Claims


It may not be as salacious as some other announced investigations, but I can now confirm that the ASA are investigating the IAIM UK Chapter for potential breach of advertising codes in relation to the truth / substantiation of claims. For those people who have missed my previous posts about the communication of my complaint to the IAIM you may want to go and read them here and here.

Although the IAIM agreed that I had made a valid complaint, they chose to fob me off with the promise of a "review", not acknowledging the seriousness of unsubstantiated and potentially misleading claims on their website. After receiving no further reply I referred the complaint to the ASA. Yesterday I received confirmation that the complaint has been handed over to the investigations team. I won't post the email as ot was just a simple confirmation of further investigation from Lewis Jones (Complaints Executive).

If the ASA uphold the complaint then I will be referring as many breaches as possible from massage instructors' websites, in accordance with the ASA's compliance procedure. A message needs to be sent to organisations and individuals who offer these types of services: just because you have years of experience and anecdote about happy babies and mothers it does not give you license to make exaggerated, unfounded or misleading claims about health benefits.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Episode 67 - Carwyn Davies

This week we welcome Carwyn Davies as guest co-host, filling in for a busy Trevor. We discuss Obama coming out to support gay marriage, Diagio PR corruption gaffe, Prince Charles presents the weather, Matthew Wright has OFCOM woes, drugged dolphins, libel reform, austerity in Europe, british trains, Kuwait's new blasphemy law and John's ASA complaint.

Download it here.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Episode 66 - Newport Takes A kicking


Steven returns from his self-imposed exile to abuse the third best known city in Wales. This week we talk about Abu Qatada, anti-EU sentiment in the media, Alan Davies & Liverpool, Norwich City's "intellectual" property, excommunicated bishops, s127 of the Communications Act and African cake.

Download it now!