An advertising campaign by a mobile phone company in the Republic of Ireland has been dropped after it received strong criticism for appearing to take a pro-abortion stance.
Adverts by Carphone Warehouse featured a badge with the slogan “We’re pro-choice”, which appeared across billboards and social media.
The words were immediately denounced by pro-life groups for bearing an undeniable resemblance to the slogan used by the pro-abortion lobby.
‘One side’
Niamh Uí Bhriain from the Life Institute said pro-life consumers had been making their voices heard.
“We are glad to see that Carphone Warehouse has had the sense to listen to consumers. It would not serve debate or democracy well if huge global companies were spending massive sums which seemed to push one side of the abortion debate.”
She added: “This is especially true at a time when media pressure is already relentlessly demanding a referendum on abortion despite a lack of public interest or support for abortion on demand”.
The Pro Life Campaign also criticised the mobile phone provider, describing the advertising campaign as “very regrettable”.
Regret
We are glad to see that Carphone Warehouse has had the sense to listen to consumers.
Niamh Uí Bhriain, Life Institute
Carphone Warehouse initially claimed that the advertising was “not making any comment on the current debate in Ireland”.
However, it subsequently issued an apology for the campaign.
The Irish Government is currently under pressure to hold a referendum on whether or not to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution, which pledges to “defend and vindicate” the equal right to life of the unborn and the mother, “as far as practicable”.