Critically Discuss the Adequacy of Existing Regulatory Regime in Relation to the Advertising of Alcohol on Television

In June 2012, thirty leading medical bodies and charities have called for a total ban on advertising for alcohol on television. Do you support this view, why or why not? Critically discuss the adequacy of existing regulatory regime in relation to the advertising of alcohol on television. Support your analysis with reference to the relevant codes of practise and relevant ASA adjudications. The Oxford Dictionary describes advertising as to “describe or draw attention to (a product, service, or event) in a public medium in order to promote sales or attendance” . The Advertising Standards Association regulates advertising across all media including television and cinema. They work closely with organisations such as Ofcom to regulate communications in these areas. Ofcom was established in 2009 “to oversee all regulation in the media and communication sectors” and are accountable to the government. Their main legal duties include making sure that “people who watch television are protected from harmful or offensive material and are protected from being treated unfairly in television and radio programmes”. In this essay I will discuss the existing regulatory regimes in relation to the advertising of alcohol on television, using support from the relevant code of practise and relevant ASA adjudications. At the end of the essay I will take this evidence into account and come to a clear conclusion as to whether or not I support the view of a total ban on advertising for alcohol on television. In June 2012, thirty leading medical bodies and charities called for a total ban on advertising for alcohol on television. They called for tighter restrictions on the marketing of alcohol, “especially towards children”. Ofcom have specific duties, two of which are, “Applying adequate protection for audiences against offensive or harmful material – the taste and decency area” and “Applying adequate protection for audiences against unfairness or the infringement of privacy – covering

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