Government COVID-19 Ads Were ‘One-Sided’ and ‘Manipulative’: UK Statistician

COVID-19 campaigns, including billboards and videos messages, were meant to convince people to stay at home.

COVID-19 messaging is seen on the advertising hoarding at Piccadilly Circus during the UK's third national lockdown, in London, on Feb. 3, 2021. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The government should change its way of explaining health risks to people and stay clear of using fear-mongering communication messages, a leading British statistician has warned.

Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter was giving evidence to The Times Health Commission, when he criticised health adverts run by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic.