A drinks watchdog is examining a Belfast nightclub’s social media videos that sparked concerns earlier this week over their content and the issue of informed consent.
Lux in the Cathedral Quarter posted clips on its social media channels advertising its Fat Wednesdays club night, which is aimed at students.
The interview style videos show customers being asked various questions, including about their ex-partners and “naming and shaming” their friends
One local councillor branded the promotional campaign as “incredibly irresponsible”, questioning the participants’ ability to consent due to alcohol intake.
In response, the club’s management said after listening to concerns from a number of people it had spoken to the promoter and the videos were being removed.
Now it has emerged that a body set up to investigate concerns about irresponsible alcohol promotions is probing the videos, the BBC reports.
Duncan McCausland, chair of the independent panel of the Responsible Promotion and Retail of Alcohol Code, said it is “aware of news reports of videos posted on social media recorded at Lux nightclub on Dunbar Street in Belfast recently”.
“As with any issues of this nature, the independent panel will examine the videos to determine whether a breach has occurred,” he added.
Introduced in 2012, the code aims to promote best practice and to prevent alcohol being irresponsibly promoted or sold.
On Wednesday, Lux’s management said it would review its promotional campaigns going forward and stop any similar content going out.
“This content is suppose to be a bit of fun for students/customers and for the most part that’s what it is,” a statement to the BBC added.
“They are very popular with our customers as they enjoy being involved in these videos.”
Lux said a two-tier step system is used when it comes to the consent of participants. When they buy tickets online, the terms and conditions state they agree to photography and videography at the event, which could include the person being used on the nightclub’s social media channels.
Management said that, on the night, the person is then asked if they consent o the footage being shared on social media.
“If the answer is no, the videos are deleted and unused,” they said.
Lux management said its staff are well-trained and know when customers have had too much to drink.
They added: “We always take a customer’s safety and enjoyment as a top priority.”
Regarding the videos, Koulla Yiasouma of Parenting Focus said she felt companies should have a “greater sense of social media responsibility”.
“I would be fairly confident that most of those young people, in the cold light of day, in sobriety watching those videos will be mortified,” she said.
Read more
News Catch Up: Wednesday 14 August