The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) together with Ofcom, have announced they will shortly be publishing their new Broadcast Advertising Code, but they have decided to postpone their ruling in relationship to advertising abortion advice on television.

During a consultation in March 2009, BCAP was proposing to include a rule in their advertising code about post-conception advice services which would in effect allow abortion clinics to advertise their services on television.

There was a very strong backlash against these proposals by prolife groups, not least the ProLife Alliance, who quickly collected over 3,000 signatures in protest.

Camilla Bertenshaw of the ProLife Alliance said:

‘We are encouraged by BCAP’s statement to date, and it is clear that the ProLife Alliance has made its voice heard.  Campaigning against these measures has certainly been effective and we thank all our supporters who took the time to make their opinions known.

‘BCAP state that the regulatory position for the moment in relationship to post-conception advice will remain unchanged.  We must not, however, feel complacent but must continue to campaign so that the BCAP’s current position remains unaltered.’