Instead, more than three quarters of people polled in the research thought the ads were directly related to the Presidential election, with half believing that the Saudi government knowingly funds terrorist organisations.
The ads are part of a $1m (拢560,000) radio campaign that confronts allegations in Michael Moore's film 'Fahrenheit 9/11' that Saudi citizens, including members of the Bin Laden family, left the US by aeroplane shortly after the September 11 attacks. The ads also seeks to draw attention to Saudi efforts to combat terrorism, especially the group Al Qaeda.
However, the study of more than 600 probable voters found 78% believed the ads were directly related to the elections and a straight 50% that the Saudi government funded terrorism.
The study also found:
The survey was conducted online by Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion and HCD Research, in collaboration with ReadMyLipz.com. Participants were asked to listen to the ad twice to evaluate the content for interest and believability. Their emotional responses were also monitored.
The ads can be listened to .
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