A vodka ad goes down wrong, Ghana says #CNNGetItRight and UK police #SmileForTheBBC

In today's social media roundup: Koreans think a vodka advertisement trivialises their political protests, Ghanaians take CNN to task over a report saying the country is short of food and UK police grin and bear it for the BBC.

The Absolut Vodka company's use of an image of protests in Korea in one of its advertisements has attracted some ire and calls to boycott the product, the Korea Times reports, external.

The advertisement, which was put out on social media this weekend, features protests in Seoul edited to look like the shape of one of its bottles, with the tagline "Absolut Korea the future is yours to create".

Many thought the advertisement trivialised the seriousness with which many have been protesting against the country's impeached President Park Geun-Hye - not least for protesters questioning her handling of the Sewol ferry sinking.

"Sewol memorial used in an advertising campaign? Ouch, that won't do well for sales in Korea," was one comment, external.

Another, external said the company should have supported the rally if it wanted to use it for its own commercial ends.

Others, however, thought it promoted a view of the country's civic awareness.

"I love the statement (and encouragement to Korean people) that 'the future is yours to create', not politicians', any bystanders' or outsiders," said, external one user.

Ghanaians have taken the American news network CNN to task over a report, external that erroneously described the country as a place where "Ghanians [sic] struggle to obtain food and day-to-day services. Rolling blackouts are common and citizens often stand in long line to obtain products."

The hashtag #CNNGetItRight trended over the weekend after football journalist Gary Al-Smith noted the story and tweeted, external "I didn't know Ghanaians 'stand in long lines to obtain products' or 'struggle to obtain food'. And I live there."

"My Ghana people. Shall we do something let @CNN know we are tired of their lazy reportage of our election? Tweet them with #CNNGetItRight," he urged, external.

And so tens of thousands of tweets were sent, including one from the country's First Lady Lordina Mahama, saying, external "We are a beautiful and thriving country. Kindly report accurately on us."

"They are disappointed our elections were so smooth that they had nothing sensationally damaging to report," said, external one user.

More than a few took the opportunity to point out the only thing Ghanaians queue for is waakye, a popular local dish of rice and beans.

"To be honest, if you go buy waakye and there's no queue you should be worried about the quality," warned, external a user.

It's not just CNN coming under criticism this Monday. Police officers in the UK are tweeting pictures of them smiling in response to a story run by the BBC.

On Sunday, the BBC website reported how a picture of armed Northumbria police officers posted on social media had attracted many critical comments.

Northumbria Police explained it had increased the number armed officers on patrol in the area for reassurance but people complained, external that the sight of them made them uncomfortable.

A spoof account on social media, Bullshire Police, then tweeted, external that it had launched a #SmileForTheBBC campaign on Facebook.

"It appears that a real proper police organisation is 'under fire' because bobbies were smiling.

"It further appears that, as the BBC so-called news organisation feel it necessary to 'report' this so-called 'news', they take umbrage at Police Officers smiling.

"Therefore: #SmileForTheBBC," it said, external.

Several police officers joined in, saying they are only human, and the phrase has trended on Twitter.

"I'm really glad #SmileForTheBBC is now a thing. All those in 999 services should be proud to smile and we should all smile back in thanks," said, external Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones.

Many appear to agree.