AS PART of Reading Climate Festival, an event hosted by Adblock Reading & Wokingham on Tuesday gave Reading residents an opportunity to discuss the issues surrounding digital advertising, and the nature of the adverts they display.
The event, When Fossil Capitalism met Surveillance Advertising, took place at Jelly art space in Broad Street Mall, and was the first in the Digital Dystopia Tour by Adfree Cities.
Councillors and concerned residents at the well-attended event heard about the practicalities and public health evidence base for high-carbon ad bans, and the influence of digital ad screens in borough neighbourhoods.
A lack of choice over whether people view them, and concerns about data collection from cameras installed in digital advertising screens were both topics for discussion.
Adfree Cities and Adblock Reading & Wokingham say they are campaigning for happier, healthier cities, free from the pressure of corporate outdoor advertising, and the creeping surveillance technologies they contain.
Speakers Robbie Gillett from Adblock Bristol, and Chloe Naldrett from Adfree Cities, spoke about how fossil fuel interests are utilising the technology – and what residents can do about it, as well as what can be learnt from the campaign against tobacco advertising in the 1980s and 1990s and why a similar national ban should be implemented on fossil fuel company advertising.
Discussions followed, on how communities are pushing for policy solutions at both local council and national government levels to reclaim public spaces, and on whether towns and cities are better without digital advertising screens and billboards.
The Digital Dystopia display will remain at Jelly for a few more days as part of Reading Climate Festival.
For information, visit: readingcan.org.uk/festival25 and adfreecities.org.uk
