TV advertisements

TV advertisements

From Neraca

We are quite concerned about television advertisements in the
country because of their biases. Take, for instance, the
advertisement of a vitamin product carrying the initials SJ.

The advertisement portrayed a child with eating problems and
showed how the mother then proceeded to replace the child's food
with the vitamin.

The advertisement said the vitamins should be taken when
necessary, but immediately told viewers that the vitamins could
also be taken as a substitute for various substances included in
one's daily diet.

Such advertisements could be misinterpreted by youngsters.
They might feel that one vitamin capsule would sustain them and
that consumption of food would no longer be necessary. The
capsule would provide them with strength, good health and good
spirits as demonstrated by the child in the advertisement.

It is certainly a good idea that parents watch television with
their children. But, not every parent is in a position to do this
because of their respective activities.

We understand that advertisements are mostly of a commercial
nature because they are designed to sell a product. But, people
should be wary of advertisements which put the development of a
nation at risk.

PRADIPTA WULANDARI

Jakarta