The city council of Zwolle has given up on its plan to ban advertising for long-haul air holidays. In May last year, a majority of the Zwolle city council supported a motion by GroenLinks to ban fossil advertising, such as for long-haul air holidays, cruise trips and petrol cars in bus shelters or on advertising columns in the city. According to GroenLinks, fossil fuels cause serious damage to people and the climate. The party wanted Zwolle to become the first municipality with such an advertising ban. The Municipal Executive commissioned an investigation into the plan to lay down the ban in the General Local Bye-law (APV). However, the study shows that street advertising falls under freedom of expression. Freedom of expression (censorship ban) is a great asset and is enshrined in the Dutch constitution (Article 7). The report also states that it is difficult to determine what falls under fossil advertising and what does not. The Executive Board expects that the introduction of a ban on fossil advertising will lead to local lawsuits. The mayor and aldermen are therefore advising the city council to refrain from banning fossil advertising. According to RTV Oost, it is now up to the city council again. (Photo Shutterstock).
