A note on COVID-19 advocacy ads

There is rightly a high level of public interest about misinformation, and as an organisation the ASA understands the important role we play in supporting the right to freedom of expression along with balancing the public health implications of a global pandemic and the impact of misinformation.

In its recent decisions, the Complaints Board acknowledged the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 protection of freedom of expression but said the broad public health implications of the COVID-19 global pandemic at a population level provided a counterweight to the usual liberal assessment of advocacy advertising with regard to social responsibility and truthful presentation.