Defend your view of the ethical obligations of advertisers to Essay

Defend your view of the ethical obligations of advertisers to consumers - Essay Example The above advertisement includes the facts supporting the above argument. Because of these facts, it is suggested that bottled water should not be advertised as better than the tap water, since there is no such case, as proved through the figures provided through the above advertisement. In the particular advertisement reference is made to all aspects of bottled water aiming to show that bottled water is worse than tap water; explanations are given by referring to each particular phrase used for advertising bottled water. In general, in terms of quality, bottled water cannot be characterized as better for human health compared to the tap water. The phrase that bottled water ‘is better for you’ as used by advertisers for promoting the specific product is not valid; this view can be based on the following facts, as presented through the particular advertisement: In accordance with the case study, bottled water is checked as of its quality just once a week – under th e existing legislation, as monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency – while the tap water is checked about 100 times a month. Moreover, it is noted that the country’s municipal water systems – estimated to about 55,000 – have to pass a thorough quality test every 3 months. Through this procedure, it is ensured that the quality standards of the tap water are higher compared to the bottled water. This view has been proved in practice in the case of the Fiji bottled water. More specifically, in an advertisement of Fiji water (as included in the case study) consumers are asked to prefer Fiji just because ‘it is not bottled in Cleveland’ (part 2 of the case study). In the research made as of the quality for Fiji water, the above bottled water was found to include arsenic (6.3 micrograms/ liter) while in the tap water of Cleveland no such ingredient was identified. In accordance with the above, tap water can be characterized as better for c onsumers, compared to the bottled water. The advertisements based on the argument that bottled water is better for consumers compared to tap water should be rejected as invalid. Another common argument used by advertisers promoting the bottled water is that the water of this type ‘smells better’; however, no such case exists, a fact, which is proved through the findings of the research provided in the advertisement. From this point of view also, the advertisement of bottled water is unethical. In the case study reference is made to a blind taste conducted in 2001 in Good Morning America regarding the taste of water; the tap water of New York gathered a percentage of 45% of the votes of the participants – compared to well known bottled water brands, such as Evian (12%) and Poland Springs (24%) (part 2 of case study). Reference is also made to another study – conducted in Yorkshire among 2800 people – where the 60% of the participants were not able to distinguish between the tap water and the bottled water brands used in the research (part 2 of the case study). The experiment conducted during an episode of the television series Penn & Teller: Bullshit, has also proved that bottled water does not have better taste than tap water. In the above experiment, tap water was served as bottled water to the customers of a restaurant; customers, thinking that it is bottled water, highlighted its exceptional taste and freshness of the bottled water, while, in fact the water

To what extent do the news media fulfill Habermas' definition of Essay

To what extent do the news media fulfill Habermas' definition of public sphere - Essay Example By saying meeting it does not necessarily mean practical meetings, but rather it refers to any forum in which citizens can be heard. This essay tries to explore the different ways in which televisions in particular promotes the idea of public sphere. Odugbemi (2008, p.15) agrees that since televisions are among the news media that visually present their news, they have been found to be the most preferred news medium. According to Habermas, public sphere is a domain in which public views and opinions are formed (Marx, 2002, p. 295). It can also be said to be an arena where people meet, share ideas regarding the public, discuss this ideas and finally come up with a public opinion. The arena can be looked at from different perspectives for instance it can be a particular place where people meet (social halls), or it can be an infrastructural communication facility through which individuals can exchange opinions (television). Habermas considers the public sphere to be a utility that prom otes participatory democracy, since democracy emphasizes on citizens’ right of expression. Marx (2002, p. 324) contends that good functioning of the public sphere stresses on good participatory of citizens in matters of the public like governance. Let us then make a critical analysis on the ways which televisions use to promote the public sphere, and how successful they have been. First we have to understand the fundamental role of TVs as we explore their public sphere promotional function. Odugbemi (2008, p. 33) asserts that televisions’ primary function is to let people be aware of new happenings across the globe. They provide important information to all the stakeholders in particular happenings for example in times of disasters. In disaster cases, they make the public aware of such a situation, so that citizens can know what to do. Sociologically, TVs act like a â€Å"social glue† which brings people together by giving them similar information regardless of their geographic boundaries. In public sphere promotion, they create a means through which citizens can share their ideas (Odugbemi, 2008, p. 37). If we consider a disaster case like in cases of fire accidents, TV journalists are always punctual and ready to inform the public about what had just happened. Einwiller, Carroll and Korn (2010, p. 299) asserts that through appropriate coordination, journalists liaise with presenters in the broadcasting such news. However, the fact remains that journalists are always not present on the happening of the accidents. Then how do they get to know what had happened? This can be done through journalists questioning the people who were present during the happening. They can even put them on camera as they give their account of what had happened (Hurvitz, 2001, p. 12). Through such sharing, the public can be able to estimate the causes of the accident and the effects. Televisions are among the best agents of public sphere promotions since their ev ents can be visually examined. According to Hurvitz (2001, p. 14) televisions have also presented people’s views during public demonstrations by giving people a chance to express how they feel about a particular issue of concern. Citizens’ public demonstrations can be of no use if they cannot be given a chance to express themselves. Their demonstrations can