SP commercial: Kitag refuses to broadcast
The new SP Switzerland political advertisement, which should have been shown in numerous cinemas in German-speaking Switzerland from today, is being boycotted by some operators. Including the cinema giant Kitag.
The boycott is justified by the political content of the SP commercial, according to a statement from the SP Switzerland. According to the SP, the short film meets all the requirements of cinema advertising. No one is offended or hurt. "Nevertheless, it is now falling victim to censorship and the arbitrariness of a cinema multinational. Both the management and the legal department of Kitag refuse to show the commercial because of its political content."
Kitag's No means that the SP will have to do without advertising in 85 cinemas in Zurich, Basel, Bern, St. Gallen and Lucerne. Nevertheless, according to SP President Christian Levrat, the SP clip will be shown in around 30 cinemas in all major German-speaking Swiss cities. He could not understand the reasons for the advertising boycott, Levrat told the media on Thursday, according to SDA. Kitag had merely informed the SP that the company's legal department and management had decided against the SP advertisement. However, Kitag is not always politically neutral: During the referendum campaign on the free movement of persons, the cinema operator had allowed political advertising in its auditoriums. The SP is examining the "legal situation" in order to protest against the decision. If necessary, the party will distribute flyers outside Kitag cinemas to draw attention to the "censorship".
Not censorship, but a fundamental stance
The renunciation has nothing to do with censorship, but is a fundamental stance, Kitag said on Thursday: "Kitag, like radio and television, does not do any political advertising," said Kitag Director Philippe Täschler when asked by SDA. The commercials on the free movement of persons mentioned by Levrat were a mistake. "After we got wind of this, we took the commercial out," said Täschler. It can happen that Cinecom, the Publicitas subsidiary responsible for advertising, does not recognize a political commercial as such.
The SP commercial is also no ordinary political advertisement, noted SP President Christian Levrat. The SP is the first party in Switzerland to make such a film. With relevant statements and symbolic images, the party primarily wants to make its new logo and the slogan "Yes" better known. The clip does not contain any obvious political messages.
The commercial will be broadcast immediately, with a focus on Zurich and Bern - due to the upcoming elections to replace the cantonal government, the cantonal government and the cantonal parliament. In French-speaking Switzerland, however, the spot will not be shown until after the elections in Geneva. Until then, the old SP logo will still be used in French-speaking Switzerland, Levrat said, explaining the later launch of the film.
Kitag's No means that the SP will have to do without advertising in 85 cinemas in Zurich, Basel, Bern, St. Gallen and Lucerne. Nevertheless, according to SP President Christian Levrat, the SP clip will be shown in around 30 cinemas in all major German-speaking Swiss cities. He could not understand the reasons for the advertising boycott, Levrat told the media on Thursday, according to SDA. Kitag had merely informed the SP that the company's legal department and management had decided against the SP advertisement. However, Kitag is not always politically neutral: During the referendum campaign on the free movement of persons, the cinema operator had allowed political advertising in its auditoriums. The SP is examining the "legal situation" in order to protest against the decision. If necessary, the party will distribute flyers outside Kitag cinemas to draw attention to the "censorship".
Not censorship, but a fundamental stance
The renunciation has nothing to do with censorship, but is a fundamental stance, Kitag said on Thursday: "Kitag, like radio and television, does not do any political advertising," said Kitag Director Philippe Täschler when asked by SDA. The commercials on the free movement of persons mentioned by Levrat were a mistake. "After we got wind of this, we took the commercial out," said Täschler. It can happen that Cinecom, the Publicitas subsidiary responsible for advertising, does not recognize a political commercial as such.
The SP commercial is also no ordinary political advertisement, noted SP President Christian Levrat. The SP is the first party in Switzerland to make such a film. With relevant statements and symbolic images, the party primarily wants to make its new logo and the slogan "Yes" better known. The clip does not contain any obvious political messages.
The commercial will be broadcast immediately, with a focus on Zurich and Bern - due to the upcoming elections to replace the cantonal government, the cantonal government and the cantonal parliament. In French-speaking Switzerland, however, the spot will not be shown until after the elections in Geneva. Until then, the old SP logo will still be used in French-speaking Switzerland, Levrat said, explaining the later launch of the film.
