:: adgruntie :: Persuaders, Part I

+ Last night, PBS show Frontline aired The Persuaders. It's an hour and a half long show that takes a look at advertising and marketing. I've decided I'm going to do some commentary on the program and issues it raised, as it was interesting and provoking. Here's Part I:
One of the most poignant things that grabbed me during what I was viewing last night was the discussion of political advertising. The sleezy way in which "global warming" becomes "climate change", the "war with Iraq" becomes "war on terror" (even though there's no connection between the two). The feeling that it's OK to lie to the public. It's funny how corporate advertising has all kinds of standards to live up to while political advertising can legally lie as much as it wants to without any kind of repercussions. Where's the protection of the public where it really counts? Why are people screaming about morality issues, and letting this stuff slide? Sure, it's bad if a company says that its product will remove grass stains and can't. But it's even worse when the leaders and hopeful leaders of our communities and country blatently lie and are allowed to do so. And it's even sadder when we reelect them into office.
If you're interested in watching the show, it is reairing a couple times this week in PBS stations (look for Frontline on your local pbs web site for more info) and on Friday you'll be able to view the entire program on the web.