So I was watching television while on the computer and the television show that I was watching ended. As I was in the middle of something, an infomercial started playing. At the very beginning of the infomercial, the following message was displayed and read aloud by an announcer:
"The following program is a paid advertisement. [] network is not responsible for the claims made during this show."
So this leaves me thinking, why does the network make such a disclosure for infomercials but not for regular commercials? I mean, both are forms of advertising, aren't they?
If the network only provides this disclosure for infomericals, does that mean then that they are responsible and can be held accountable for the claims made in regular, traditional commercials (e.g. those that air during a television program/show that last for one minute or less)?
I tried poking around the web and couldn't really find any answers. So I'm curious, does anybody know?
08 June 2009
Responsibility of Advertising in Infomercials
Welcome to the intersection of advocacy, journalism, and disruptive technology. I am Peter C. Frank an independent writer, digital creator, and consultant. This blog is my platform for incisive analysis—speaking #TruthToPower by exposing political opacity and challenging the status quo. My commentary focuses on the intersectionality of politics, tech, and social justice, specifically through the lens of LGBTQIA+, Disability, and Mental Health rights. I am a futurist and technologist charting a path toward solutions. My goal: to analyze governance and drive positive change. I've been blogging since January 2006 and am committed to rigorous, fact-driven journalism. Let's connect, share perspectives, and demand accountability together. #Journalism #Advocacy #PoliticalAnalysis #CTPolitics #LGBTQIA
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I think the idea originally was that regular commercials are pretty obviously advertisements, but that infomercials are similar enough (both in length and format) to regular TV programming that people might mistake an infomercial for a program if a disclaimer was not added. Just like when magazines and newspapers print ads that are in a format similar to their regular content, they print the word "Advertisement" above it.
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