By ELIZABETH BINNING
An image of children watching pornography used to promote a Waikato student magazine has generated a raft of complaints.
The advertisement, which features in the latest edition of Nexus, the Waikato University students' magazine, shows a group of primary school-age boys cheering as they watch a graphic on television of two people having sex.
The colour advertisement carries the words "Nexus, Funnier than Porn".
Waikato University's department of teaching, which had an advertisement positioned on the top of the page, has laid a complaint with Nexus.
Hamilton East MP Dianne Yates also plans to complain. Her permanent advertisement, which she has had in the magazine for 10 years, ran beneath the pornographic image.
"I find that really offensive because they know I have campaigned against that [pornography]."
Nexus editor Carl Watkins said he could not see anything wrong with the advertisement. "I think porn's pretty funny. I mean, don't you think it's hilarious?"
Mr Watkins said the picture was sent to the magazine and he believed the pornographic image had been superimposed after the photograph was taken.
"I think that people are just a bit too serious about things and everything is too PC these days. You can't do anything or say anything without people jumping on you."
Student Hine Burton, a former member of the magazine's executive board, said she was disgusted. The magazine had gone too far, embarrassing the university.
Nexus, a free magazine distributed to about 6000 people, is owned by the Waikato Students Union but is run as a separate organisation and is not accountable to the university.
University spokesman Stephen Ward said the university had received several complaints.
Student magazine's porn ad in firing line
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.