Censorship and Advertising

Advertising executives create many ads that do not make it to the public. However, with many regulations and censors affecting their ads, most of the original ads are forgotten. Censorship in advertising severely hinders creativity and prohibits the audience from making their own inference about the subject.

Using controversial print advertisements as examples, one can see how the censoring regulates the viewer’s opinion.  In an advertisement featured in Vogue, Harvey Nichols, and Elle for a new lipstick, the female driver is shown applying lipstick in the rear-view mirror. In the windshield, the viewer sees a suit-clad man about to be struck by the vehicle (Nichols).

Complaints made to the Advertising Standard Authority stated that the advertisement was irresponsible for depicting unsafe driving habits but also may offend those who may have been or know someone who has been in an automobile accident (Nichols). Complaints were made, however, the print was not removed from circulation, saying that readers of the publishing magazines would find the advertisement humorous and would most likely refrain from replicating the same driving habits (Nichols). The consumer should be allowed to decide if they find this offensive or humorous themselves. 

If censoring these advertisements because it may portray a destructive behavior, many other advertisements should be censored. However, shouldn’t the viewer be left to decide if he or she is going to take the ad seriously and duplicate its message?

An advertisement from Italy, originally ran by Marithe & Francois Girbaud features models in the traditional placement and intensity of Jesus Christ’s Last Supper (Girbaud). The ad features all female models with one male, who has his bare, muscular back to the viewer.

The Advertising Standards authority of Italy felt this ad offends anyone of any religious background. The advertiser wanted to switch the traditional roles of men and women to show men as fragile and sacred (Girbaud) .  Instead of portraying an intended satirical effect, the advertisement crossed the line between the outrageous and the religious, therefore unable to be printed (Girbaud).  This advertisement may not offend everyone, however, the Advertising Standards authority of Italy refused to let the public decide that for themselves. The censorship neglects to let the public be exposed and make an opinion for itself.