Cardiff City Council receives backlash over city-wide ‘Trust in Jesus’ banners, causing controversy among residents
The Cardiff City Council has come under fire from non-religious advocacy group Humanists UK for the recent placement of banners across the city bearing the message “Trust in Jesus, he is alive, come to church”, along with the council’s logo at the bottom. The banners have caused concern as they do not indicate that they are paid advertisements, leading to the perception that the council is promoting Christianity to all residents.
Humanists UK has voiced their disapproval of the banners, with Wales Humanists coordinator, Kathy Riddick, stating that the council has a duty to remain impartial in its communications and not show favouritism towards any specific religion. Riddick emphasised the importance of clarifying that the banners are paid advertisements to prevent any confusion with official council endorsements of faith-based messages.
Following the appearance of the banners, Wales Humanists has received numerous complaints from residents who have raised objections to the implicit promotion of Christianity by the council. The lack of transparency regarding the origins of the banners has sparked controversy, with calls for the council to address the issue promptly and reconsider its policies on advertising on lampposts.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Cardiff City Council clarified that the advertising space on council-owned lampposts is available for registered charities and businesses to purchase through an external provider, Bay Media, in accordance with the council’s advertising policy. The presence of the council’s logo on the banners is intended to indicate that the advertisements have been authorised for display on council property but does not signify official endorsement of the content.
The council emphasised that the decision-making process for individual advertising campaigns is handled externally and is subject to compliance with the council’s advertising standards. While the council sets the guidelines for advertising policy, the actual booking and management of advertising space adhere to external procedures controlled by Bay Media, ensuring that the banners meet the established criteria without direct involvement from the council.
As the debate over the banners continues, Cardiff residents are calling for greater transparency in advertising placement and clearer distinctions between council communications and external advertisements. Critics argue that the inclusion of the council’s logo on the banners blurs the line between official messaging and promotional content, raising concerns about the perception of religious endorsement by the local government.
The controversy surrounding the ‘Trust in Jesus’ banners serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between freedom of expression and maintaining neutrality in public communications. The ongoing dialogue between Cardiff City Council, advocacy groups, and residents highlights the importance of clear guidelines and transparency in advertising practices to uphold the principles of inclusivity and diversity in a multicultural society.