Should the Government Ban Junk Food Ads?
There’s an idea being strongly advocated at the moment that junk food ads be banned during children’s TV viewing time (in Australia, this is). One aspect of the debate I’m hearing/reading in the media today is whether or not the government should be the one banning it between 7 am and 9 pm. The Australian Communications and Media Authority is rejecting these calls for a ban. Apparently, the potential effects on their hip pocket are far scarier to them than the increasing rates of childhood obesity and the widespread behavioral problems amongst our kids and teenagers. But maybe I’m just another cynical Gen X when I say things like that. I invite your response. As the Sydney-Morning Herald article (the link above) points out: The media authority needs to give considered responses to a few basic questions: 1. Does marketing work? If not, then they should let universities know so that it is no longer taught, and tell companies so they can lay off their expensive marketing departments. 2. D
