Issues central to an ethical discussion on advertising

sunandaC

New member
Issues central to an ethical discussion on advertising are:
• Advocacy

• Accuracy

• Acquisitiveness

Advocacy

By its very nature, advertising tries to persuade the audience that they need new products and to buy it, since it persuades it is not objective or neutral. This fact disturbs critics who think ads should be objective, informative and neutral. They want ads to provide info and then stop there.

Accuracy

Beyond the easily ascertainable claims in an ad message are matters of perception. Will buying the automobile make an envy of my neighbor? Will wearing a perfume make me more attractive? Such messages may be implied by the situations pictured in the ads. In spite of being aware that these messages will not essentially change our lifestyle, ad critics raise concern when these messages are directed to particular groups with limited experience such as children and teenagers.


Acquisitiveness

Some critics believe that advertising is a symbol of our society’s preoccupation with accumulation of
material goods. We are constantly exposed to gods that are bigger, better, changing, newer, etc.
and into thinking that we must have these products.

• We do have free choice of what we buy



• Advertising offers choice and incentives


• Advertising informs consumers about goods and services they demand

• Ultimately, consumers make the final decision
 
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