I believe that there are basically no ethics in advertising. The whole purpose of creating an advertising campaign for a company or a product is to make it look or seem better in the consumer's eyes. The advertisements don't "lie" about the product, but they are supposed to build up its ratings.
The advertisements about prescription drugs are great for an argument about ethics in advertising. The medical industry needs funding for testing and creation of the drugs, so the advertisers and doctors promote them. Then the consumers want them because they see so many commercials for new drugs. Its like a vicious circle. Then the pharma. reps go around promoting the drugs more, so the doctors are more likely to prescribe them. It seems like it could be slightly unethical seeing as how its dealing with real human beings' health and wellness.
Also, there are questions of ethics in advertising when dealing with marketing to children. I definitely think there should be a line drawn about some marketing some childrens products, such as thongs for nine year olds etc. But I don't think its unethical for marketers to market to children, because how else are they going to sell sugary cereal or toys? Only kids will want those kinds of things.
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Hi Shannon from Australia
At least there are restrictions on advertising in some cases. Over here we have restrictions on what advertising doctors can do. It doesn't address the issue of course of whether the doctors themselves act as sales agents for the big pharmaceutical companies when they have a captive audience in their waiting room.
Wow, thanks Ben! I would have never known...
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