With the start of the academic year rat-race to hunt for colleges and institutions begins and despite best attempts many students and parents are duped by brokers whose only motive is to make fast money. Thousands of students hunting for institutions fall easy prey and are lured into colleges and universities which do not even exist.

Many institutions which are not even recognized by appropriate statutory bodies lure students by putting up misleading advertisements in newspapers, web portals and magazines. 

Education aside in the pulsating world of Indian advertising, false ads are notoriously common and easy to get away with. It’s not just the smaller firms who bluff their way, peddling everything from weight-loss drugs to libido-enhancing potions on late-night TV. Big brands are an equal culprit, data reveals. 

In an effort to clampdown on misleading advertisements, a parliamentary panel last year suggested that celebrities be held accountable for the brands they endorse, especially if an advertisement in which they feature is found to be misleading.

Misrepresentation of a product, especially of food product, should be taken very seriously, considering the influence of celebrities and high networth individuals and companies. The existing laws are not deterrent enough to discourage manufacturers or publishers from using such personalities for misleading ads.

Each year the world consumer’s day is observed with much dedication to raise levels of awareness among consumers. While several aspects are raised, little attention has been given to address the menace of misleading advertisements which is affecting consumers in a huge way.

The Department of Legal Metrology & CA must be commended for its many IEC activities – quite visible on print media especially on important days, it has generated traction among the masses on consumer awareness. However, it needs to widen its reach and also aware citizens regarding misleading advertisements and keep tab on airing and publishing of misleading advertisements.

 

 

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List