Mardi Gras: SBS wrong to dump ad opposing same sex marriage, say MPs Dean Smith and David Leyonhjelm

By Matthew KnottMarch 9, 2015, 1:25 p.m.

Prominent politicians who support gay marriage have accused public broadcasterSBS of supressing freedom of speech by pulling an anti-same sex marriage advertisement from its telecast of the Sydney Mardi Gras parade.

Liberal senator Dean Smith Photo: Stefan Postles

Prominent politicians who support gay marriage have accused public broadcasterSBS of suppressing freedom of speech by pulling an anti-same sex marriage advertisement from its telecast of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

The advertisement by the Australian Marriage Forum claimed that marriage equality forces a child to miss out on a mother or father. It was broadcast on Channels Seven and Nine but was pulled from SBS on Sunday night.

Liberal senator Dean Smith, who is openly gay, said: "I am opposed to the censorship of any of the arguments for or against same-sex marriage.

"Same-sex marriage proponents need to be prepared to meet head-on the arguments of those who disagree with them.

"Obnoxious ads should be aired because they undermine the cause of their sponsors - the obnoxious views will be seen for what they are."

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Mardi Gras: SBS wrong to dump ad opposing same sex marriage, say MPs Dean Smith and David Leyonhjelm

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