The aim of advertising is to make a profit to the detriment of the consumers. In this light, these consumers need to be protected. To provide this protection, some voluntary and statutory systems of control can be employed. These are the systems of control that are recommended;
1. Statutory Control: To curtail the problem posed by advertising to the lives of consumers, as a result, the government enacted some laws which prevent advertisers from making use of misleading words in advertisements. These are the laws which the government enacted in this regard.
a. Sales goods act 1893
b. Advertisement act 1967
c. Trade description act 1968
d. Standard organization of Nigeria decreeA decree is an official order given by a government or by a person with power. For example, the president can issue a decree making a particular day a national holiday.... More 1971
e. Copyright act 1956
2. Television Act 1954: Under this Act, all the programs to be broadcast on television should be totally vetted before presenting them to the public.
3. Establishment of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria: This is a recognized body concerned with the enforcement of rules and regulations guiding advertising activities in Nigeria. They make sure advertisement does not contain any false or misleading messages.
4. Consumer Education: To protect consumers against any false advertisement by an advertiser, they must be enlightened through education which will enable them to know their rights. The efforts to guide against misleading advertisements gave birth to the formation of a consumer association.
Evaluation Questions:
- Explain the role of the internet as a medium of advertising.
- How does window display enhance the demand for products?
- Compare the use of magazines and television as media for advertisement.
- Mention four media of advertising.
- List and explain consumer protection in advertising.
- (a) Give four arguments for and three arguments against advertising
(b) List six advertising media used by the business organization in West Africa (WASSCE June 2003)
Thank you much for the required information.