Controversy
PETA is known to be a radical animal rights group. Over the years, their campaigning methods and strategies have been met by much controversy and criticism.
PETA addresses the controversy:
"We will do extraordinary things to get the word out about animal cruelty because we have learned from experience that the media, sadly, do not consider the terrible facts about animal suffering alone interesting enough to cover. It is sometimes necessary to shake people up in order to initiate discussion, debate, questioning of the status quo, and, of course, action. Thus, we try to make our actions colorful and controversial, thereby grabbing headlines around the world and spreading the message of kindness to animals to thousands—sometimes millions—of people." (peta.org)
"We will do extraordinary things to get the word out about animal cruelty because we have learned from experience that the media, sadly, do not consider the terrible facts about animal suffering alone interesting enough to cover. It is sometimes necessary to shake people up in order to initiate discussion, debate, questioning of the status quo, and, of course, action. Thus, we try to make our actions colorful and controversial, thereby grabbing headlines around the world and spreading the message of kindness to animals to thousands—sometimes millions—of people." (peta.org)
"Kim has been sent PETA’s fur farm exposé and should know full well the torture that animals endure. PETA has written polite letters to Kim, erected billboards, and held protests. While we weren’t behind the flour delivery, we applaud the animal advocates who were. Hopefully a dusting with flour will cause her to take her head out of the clouds and recognize the blatant cruelty to animals that she promotes." (peta.org)
PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked than Wear Fur" Campaign created a lot of controversy over the exploitation of women and men to get attention from the public.
"Kathy Guillermo, vice president of PETA, has been with the organization for 22 years...Guillermo defended PETA's advertising approach. 'Well, we don't think there's anything sexist about using, about some people's decision to use their bodies to spread an important message,' she said." (Romano, 2012) |
The video below displays a small portion of our interview with Emily Gaarder. Here, she discusses the controversy in PETA's campaign.
[Emily Gaarder Interview, 2014]