Storyboard18 | Navigating Advertising Controversies In The Age Of Outrage – Moneycontrol

Unless such depictions are explicit, and cross a line beyond being merely suggestive, one cannot put unreasonable restrictions on their right to advertise as long as they are compliant with applicable laws.

The ASCI code demands that “advertisements should contain nothing indecent, vulgar or repulsive which in the light of prevailing standards of decency and propriety, is likely to cause grave and widespread offence”.

This is very useful guidance to think about what might be grave offence, versus what might be the opinion of hypersensitive individuals or groups.

Additionally, both sides must be willing to allow an independent adjudicator to decide upon the matter, and then have the maturity to accept a decision which considers the rights of both parties as guaranteed under the constitution.

Some brands are guilty of “casual brand purpose” – using social issues for selling when there is poor conviction in the actual cause.

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