The controversy quickly spread on social networks, making react until the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. Netizens posted on Twitter this Thursday, photos of advertisements from the Alliance Vita association, openly anti-abortion and anti-PMA, displayed in several Parisian stations.
I am deeply shocked and indignant by this anti-abortion and anti-PMA campaign at the Gare du Nord and in several other places in the capital. I ask @ExterionMediaFR and #Mediatransports that these posters be removed immediately. pic.twitter.com/7dA6p26Q1B
- Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) January 2, 2020For example, a campaign presents Gare du Nord in Paris and which comes in several different posters. We see there on a black background, photos of a woman, a man and a disabled person. You can read the following sentences: "Society will progress provided that you respect motherhood", "Society will progress provided that you respect fatherhood" and "Society will progress provided that you respect difference". Under each of the advertisements is inscribed the following slogan: "united of the most fragile", and the name of the association.
Quickly, many people challenged the Media Transport agency on Twitter, which manages the advertisements displayed in Parisian public transport, some citing non-compliance with the law on the offense of obstructing abortion.
The https://t.co/wNH77LYe0g management broadcasts an Alliance Vita campaign in contravention of the law on the offense of obstructing # IVG and which also attacks the bill on #PMAforAll.
Write to him:
▶ ️On FB https://t.co/9gelEQvPA1
▶ ️On IG https://t.co/FVH5UjPh9R pic.twitter.com/anRPeNoG39
"Obligation of neutrality"
Contacted by the Parisian, the Médiatransports management evokes a "dysfunction" and ensures that two visuals will be removed, those presenting the photo of a man and a woman.
Mediatransports is removing this evening the two visuals relating to maternity and paternity protection. The dysfunctions linked to strikes explain this presence which does not comply with our principles of neutrality. @ Anne_Hidalgo
- Valerie Decamp (@valeriedecamp) January 2, 2020The company does not, however, mention the offense of obstructing abortion. "Before displaying a campaign, we check the visuals and ensure compliance with the law and ethics," explains Alandra Lafay, in charge of communication with the sales manager.
"In this case, this association has the right to communicate," she continues. However, due to the contract which binds us to SNCF, a public service company, we are subject to an obligation of neutrality. So we cannot display militant messages. "
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It is therefore not the substance of the matter that poses a problem in terms of the law, but the fact that it is militant content. The poster presenting the photo of a disabled person will therefore be maintained, specifies Médiatransports.
