The MTA is changing its advertising policy in the wake of a controversial ad campaign that debuted in subway stations earlier this week.

The MTA lost a court battle to block ads calling enemies of Israel “savages.”

In response, the MTA says in the future it will add a disclaimer to ads with political, religious or moral content.

The disclaimer will state that it’s a paid ad, identify the ad’s sponsor and indicate that the ad does not imply that the MTA agrees with the views expressed.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg supported the MTA’s decision.

“Sometimes, people put up ads you don’t agree with,” he said. “But if you wanna be able to put up yours, you gotta let them put up theirs. And on balance, this country seems to have gotten that right.”

The American Freedom Defense Initiative won a court battle in July to have the ads posted, claiming they speak out against extremists and not Islam.

The initiative called the MTA’s decision a victory for free speech.

It also said it would gladly add the disclaimer to future ads.

(Source: NY1)