ACMA finds anti-gay marriage ‘iceberg’ ad is not a breach of the television codes of practice

The broadcasting media watchdog has found a television ad screened last month opposing gay marriage does not breach the television codes of practice.

In a ruling published on its website this afternoon, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that the Marriage Alliance ‘iceberg’ ad, which aired on pay-TV service Foxtel and drew an angry response from some viewers, was a non-breach, given the topic was one of current political debate.

Marriage Alliance had sought to broadcast the ad, which argues “it’s not as simple as you think”, last month as the Coalition partyroom debated whether to put the issue to a conscience vote in the parliament. Ultimately the Coalition voted that members should be held to opposing gay marriage until after the next election when a plebiscite will be held.