SA Advertising Standards Agency Demands Shell Pull Pro-Fracking Advertisements

[hatrack]

Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell was ordered on Wednesday to withdraw claims about controversial shale gas drilling in an advertisement carried in several South African newspapers.

Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell was ordered on Wednesday to withdraw claims about controversial shale gas drilling in an advertisement carried in several South African newspapers.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the company had made claims that were unsubstantiated and likely to mislead, in a complaint brought by a lobby group that is fighting a bid by Shell to explore for gas deposits.

Shell wants to drill using hydraulic fracturing known as "fracking" in the country's vast central Karoo region and published a full-page print advertisement in several daily and weeklies in April. "We are disappointed by the ruling," said Shell South Africa chair Bonang Mohale. The purpose of the advert was to provide information directly to the public to enable them to properly assess the nature of the proposed shale gas exploration in the Karoo, as well as the accompanying technology of hydraulic fracturing."

EDIT

http://mg.co.za/article/2011-07-06-shell-shock-energy-giant-censured-for-fracking-ads/

[louis-t]

1. I've seen ads claiming the procedure is 'safe'.

'Safe' if you like flammable water.

[ashling]

2. Advertising Standards Authority

What a concept! Actually holding business accountable and overseeing false advertising.