Here’s another suggestion. I’m on a roll this week.
When somebody appears on an advert, I think that the advert should say whether they are an actor or not. Quite simply, when somebody says “buy x” or “do y“, I think we should know whether they are being paid to say what the’re saying.
I don’t so much have a problem with commercial adverts, because it is obvious (to me) that these people must be actors (although what might be obvious to one person might not be obvious to another). But when somebody speaks on a particular theme, perhaps as part of a political broadcast, or from the government, say, and gives the impression they they are just a concerned citizen, I’d like to know whether that is true or not. Or when somebody comes on and speaks for a charity, I’d like to know whether they are being paid to speak for that charity. If the charity is using that image to tug on our heartstrings.
The only safe assumption currently is that anybody who says anything is being paid to do so, but this should be stated explicitly.
written for Weekly Prompts Weekly Challenge of 24 October 2020, Suggestion Box.
I often wondered the same thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love the adverts, no matter who is on them. After 51 years of isolation in Switzerland, now watching the various British programmes on the TV with the commercials reminds me of the English way of life again. Since Mr. Swiss now likes to go to bed earlier, I am no longer isolated with a TV showing German and Swiss programmes and can please myself. Swiss TV has no adverts and neither does the German TV – just a few private TV stations. It is also a good opportunity to go to the bathroom and potter around in the home whilst they are on as you do not miss anything in the film.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m interested, how does ch/de tv then pay for itself? do you need to subscribe?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is this a genuine concern or did you get paid for this post? Is Mr Bump your real name, or are you an actor?
LikeLiked by 2 people
ah, but since I am not obliged to say, you may take your pick 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have to buy an annual television and radio licence which is Chf. 365.00, whether you have a TV or not. There was a discussion a couple of years ago on a national level and quite a dispute, but that is the result.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does everybody therefore have a TV?
LikeLike
That was the problem, they do not, and that was one of the causes of the big discussion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Over here it’s 99% that the promoter IS an actor. Worse (to me) are the people who use illness as a way to make money…particularly a child’s illness. There’ve been a lot of scams using leukemia and other forms of cancer as a way to make money for the parents. Sometimes the people getting ‘paid’ aren’t even parents and the child’s picture is faked. I don’t pay attention to any ads any more.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It sounds like you should have that rule, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the idea of a mandatory disclaimer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure how it could be done, but it should be done I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person