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