Greece’s Communications body forbids TV Commercial line as “sexist”

Greece’s Communication Control Council ruled that a specific line on a TV Commercial has to be taken out because of it is “sexist and dangerous” and it shows “criminal behavior” as “normal.” the complained was filed by the General Secretariat for the Gender Equality.

The CCC refers to the line “Hit, hit like a man” on a Television commercial of a known Greek company.

The TV spot features an abandoned woman (singer Angela Dimitriou) who complains about her ex boy-friend who is now enjoying Easter and Resurrection night with another woman. At the end of the spot, the infidel boy-friend suddenly appears with a red egg and the singer urges him to follow the Greek Easter tradition and try to crack her egg thus with the line “Hit, Hit like a man!”

When the TV spot first appeared on television some 10 days ago, it triggered an outraged not only among women who were arguing that the specific line was “sexist.” But the Advertising company kept broadcasting the spot without removing the controversial line.

The spot became trendy on social media and the target of heavy trolling.

Singer Angela Dimitriou responded to criticism saying “Success hurts and annoys. I enjoy it.” After the CCC decision, Dimitriou appeared very disturbed and told ProtoThema “All these [CCC members] have no sense of humor.” She urged them also to forbid a specific film – “Beating Came from Paradise”- from the 60’s with Greece’s national star Aliki Vougiouklaki; a film that was promoting beating in the school as social acceptable.

According to CCC decision, the advertising company must remove the line as of tomorrow, April 21st. The CCC stresses that even if the Ads company appeals, its decision cannot be reversed during the appeal period.

In its ruling the CCC stresses that the line “Hit, Hit Like A Man” infringes Articles 1.2 and 4.1 of the Greek Code of Advertising – Communication (CFC-E) and should be amended within two days in all sports broadcast in the media, that is as of 21st April, 2016.

In Greek Eastern tradition, Egg Tapping is called “Cracking Eggs” (  τσούγκρισμα/tsugkrisma). It is common that Greeks urge each other to crack the eggs rather with words like “Έλα” (Come on) and taking “crack position” thus showing thered egg. But never with such a sexist connotation “hit like a man.” ugh…ugh…