| 13. april 2006 Slovenska oglaševalska zbornica
Oglaševalsko razsodišče
Parmova ulica 53
1000 Ljubljana Subject: degrading of human values on large public posters Spoštovani! We decided to appeal to the Honorary Court regarding another poster campaign, this time about Geo magazine (yet, we can notice that it’s the same editor as Playboy – Burda d.o.o., Vošnjakova 3, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija!). The picture displayed is against any decency! As a person, and as representative of the Buddhist Community, I have no problem with nudity and the matter of sex, but I consider it is a private matter. We feel offended that for the sake of publicity, some people take the right to bring such picture by for to the eyes of our children! The advertisement in question deprives the parents of the right to educate their children about the matter of sex at the time, the age and in the way they feel appropriate. The sexual intercourse is portrayed in the ad as if focusing on the anatomical process, yet it still substantially interfering with the right of the parents to educate their children according to their own views. Therefore the advertisement is not in accordance with the demands of our cultural environment. Although the magazine in question is also dealing with human anatomy, the content of the controversial advertisement is not taken from (or closely related to) a concrete article in it, but it’s sole purpose is to draw attention and to shock. The photo represents the breach of the following articles of the Slovene advertising codex: (2nd, 3rd and 6th article) and the following articles of the Law on protection of the consumers (first paragraph of the 12th article, 12th a article, 15th article; because of this market inspection should act in accordance with the 73th article and forbid the publication of the poster and punish the company Burda d.o.o. and its responsible person with the fine – 3rd and 5th point of the 1st paragraph of the 77th article and 2nd paragraph of the 77th article). These jumbo posters are virtually impossible to avoid and the controversial photo is completely exposed to the children of the earliest age. The form chosen for the advertising campaign in this case represents a danger per se for the children (magazines with pornographic and erotic content in the kiosks and shops are put in the plastic bag to prevent children from skimming through them). Therefore, we request your administration to quickly act to remove this poster, prohibit this magazine/company for further similar poster, and publicly reinforce the law which prevent such public exposure. Lama Shenphen Rinpoche
Abbot of Tibetan Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling
Copy to:
Tržni inšpektorat RS
Enota Ljubljana Vilharjeva 33
1000 LJUBLJANA
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Ministrstvo za pravosodje
dr. Lovro Sturm
Župančičeva 3
1000 Ljubljana,
13. april 2006 Ministry of Justice
dr. Lovro Sturm
Župančičeva 3
1000 Ljubljana, Subject: degrading of human values on large public posters Greetings!! Again, we have to start a complaint regarding large publicity poster in Slovenia, displaying indecent picture (letter attached)!
Shall citizens react each time such poster is displayed? Are the editors of such advertising waiting that the mind of the population is perverted enough, or resigned, so that nobody will react anymore? This time, the content is not necessarily “pornographic”, yet it brings to the eye of all children of all age a topic that parents of teacher have the right to choose when and how to evoke and explain to their children.
This type of advertising is stealing our right to educate our children, right written in the Constitution!
This is not just a “religious” point of view, but an ethical issue which regards all citizens, and engage the responsibility of the State. As a citizen, and as a representative of the Buddhist Community Dharmaling, I request the Government to take the right and swift measures to protect the mind of the young public, passing and applying a legislation which will rule once for good this problem.
There are already laws applicable to already exposed posters. But by the time the procedure ends, the poster is out already, and the advertiser has even eventually “benefited” of the controversy!
Therefore, advertisings should be checked before by an appropriate body, and blocked if going against the law or the decency. Or heavy fines should be enforced for companies going against the advertising law and moral values! Not acting upon the matter, we will consider the Government responsible for the eventual consequences brought by what ideas are induced by such advertising, as we are convinced that the insidious message given in such advertising brings consequence in the increasing of immoral and unethical behaviour, up to criminal actions, of the citizens! Thank you for your understanding, and looking forward such regulation. Lama Shenphen Rinpoche
Abbot of Buddhist Congregation Dharmaling | 
