Balancing Free Press/Open Access to Advertising and the Ideal of an Inform

 


Concepts such as these posed in the question above almost seem like black, white, and gray areas. On one side, some would say that trying to control what candidates ad contain and are aired is an infringement on the first amendment. The other side would say, yes, certain ads are misleading with no actual facts backing the claims made within them and should not be aired. And those in the middle, well, they would agree with both statements but might have a solution for both. To be completely honest, the broadcast companies could actually set up a system that fact checks the ads after they aired. They could make segments in their newscast, to discuss and dissect the ad for viewers and the audience to get a better understanding. On a side note, some digital companies and platforms have already installed fact checking systems for post sharing on their platforms. It is better for the general to be informed with correct information to make their decisions. Misleading the public with information with no proper evidence can hurt public confidence. But this would need to have regulation laws and acts in place to protect the broadcasting industry to be protected especially in relation to the first amendment. This week’s reading really demonstrated the issues revolving around what power broadcasting actually has when it comes to what they can air and what they can not change about what they are showing. There should be regulations for any political candidate in what they can not put in their ads such as curse words. Like in the case of Senator Lofter. Broadcasting stations should be able to edit out words or refuse to air ads with inappropriate words or images. These ads are aired hourly and daily on various channels. Plus individuals could have young children who hear these words and easily become influenced. Both principles can find common ground, but in politics, each party has to do what they deem fit regardless of public backlash and commentary. But if the proper measures are taken to find common ground, the public will be better informed and can make decisions based on fact proven information. And broadcasting stations can air appropriate ads without interfering with a political candidate's message. It could be accomplished but not without roadblocks and opinions from both sides. 

King, M. “Why TV Stations Cannot Take Political Ads Off The Air.” 11 Alive News. December 17, 2020. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/politics/elections/why-television-stations-cannot-take-political-ads-off-the-air/85-0a6e5321-6123-407b-9fd2-66834da40c3d



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