BREAKING NEWS

Website for marital cheats edges closer to advertising on Israeli television, radio

AUGUST 4, 2015 02:25

In a cutting-edge debate over moral values in broadcasting and commercial free speech, Ashley Madison, a website that connects married persons interested in having affairs, moved a big step closer to advertising on Israeli TV and radio during a Monday hearing before the High Court of Justice.

The heart of the debate has been: Should a website that facilitates affairs for married people be allowed to advertise on television and radio or does that constitute the soliciting of sexual services? Likely the key development at the hearing was the broadcasting regulator’s lawyer, Yair Asael, revealing that, under the gun of the petition, an appeals body for the broadcasting regulator recently opened the door to Ashley Madison airing a highly revised infomercial – despite the regulator’s CEO recently having unequivocally and categorically closing the door on even a modified advertisement.

Asael said the regulator’s CEO had been highly disappointed with the flexibility shown by the appeals board and said Israel would be acting more progressively than other countries that had stood by banning the website.

According to an understanding reached at the hearing between High Court Justices Yoram Danziger, Neal Hendel and Anat Baron, and the lawyers for both sides, the parties now have approximately 14 days to negotiate the content of the infomercial before Ashley Madison can return to the court to seek to compel the regulator to permit the advertisement.

A lawyer for the Center for Enhancing the Strengthening of Family Values concluded the hearing quoting Torah scholar Nechama Leibowitz, stating, “A nation can possess every physical and spiritual gift and still be judged for destruction” – and explaining that allowing the ad’s destructive message to run would destroy billions of shekels of the state’s investment in educating youth.

Ashley Madison filed the petition May 21 after the broadcasting regulator blocked its television and radio commercials, saying they would violate a rule prohibiting advertising for “sex services.”

Germany arrests EU parliamentarian staff on suspicion of China espionage

By REUTERS

04/23/2024 10:10 AM

Red Alert in Sderot: Four rockets intercepted, no injuries or damage

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/23/2024 10:07 AM

IDF attacks Hezbollah targets, sirens sound in Metula

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/23/2024 08:59 AM

Russia says it has a response ready if West seizes its assets - RIA

By REUTERS

04/23/2024 08:46 AM