"Illegal, indecent, dishonest and deceitful" - who is in charge of adjudicating political claims? (Ans: not what or who you might think)
Having spent a lifetime working in the advertising and communication industry, everyone in the business of building brands knows the Advertising Code inside out. For the record, here's what they say - "The Advertising Standards Authority is here to make sure advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful. Many millions of ads appear every year in the UK. We know that the vast majority comply with the Advertising Codes* – and we act swiftly to tackle the ones that don’t. By proactively checking ads and acting on complaints, we make sure that consumers are protected. Our service operates at no cost to the public because we’re funded by a levy on advertising space. Importantly, we don’t collect or administer the levy ourselves, which ensures our independence from advertisers. The ASA is recognised by Government, other regulators and the courts."
Post Brexit and post Trumpit, my question is very simple...who, in theory, is who is charge of protecting the political consumer on both sides of the Atlantic?
In turn, who is holding politicians on all sides to account when it comes to supporting political claims? Where is the evidence that we can rely on to be adjudicated by impartial judges? Who is accountable? Why have we heard a shuddering silence from the sources of sagacity in the world?
All I know is that if politics was governed by a body equivalent to the Code of Advertising Conduct, then "Locking them up!" might be less rhetorical, more realistic and highly desirable.
Breaking news...what a post-script. This has to become a movie surely?? see https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/07/the-great-british-brexit-robbery-hijacked-democracy?CMP=share_btn_link
Head of Vocation and Business Education at HAZELWICK SCHOOL
7 年Constant education bashing by politicians to further their personal gain, jumping on any possible chance to blame the teacher for the poor education, behavior, up bring of our young pupils through the questionable Ofsted process. Where is OfPol, OfGov, Ofminister, Ofbackbencher........
Managing Partner, Leluca Ltd
8 年It's even more messy when the press become partisan as was the case with CNN glaringly supporting Hilary. Campaigns have become wars during which candidates tear each other in shreds. The social media get awash with all kinds of deformatory messages against unsupported candidates. It's high time a written code of conduct was produced to guide campaigns; otherwise, someday, it might just get out of hand and we won't be able to cope with the aftermath.
Well said Ed all a bit of a joke really
Associate Professor at University of Nottingham
8 年Surely not the voters?