A report examined the case for a code on non-broadcast political advertising. It concluded that a statutory code was unsustainable. But it recommended that political advertisers abide by the fundamental principle in the existing advertising code - that adverts should be prepared with 'a sense of responsibility to consumers and society'.
Source: Political Advertising, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Electoral Commission press release
Date: 2004-Jun
Low-income consumers were asked for their views on a range of options to address the way in which foods were promoted and marketed to children. Parents and teenagers generally welcomed the idea of forcing manufacturers to be more honest about their products, and said they found existing labelling confusing.
Source: Research Works Limited, Food Promotion and Marketing to Children: Views of low income consumers, Food Standards Agency (020 7276 8000)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jun
A consumer rights body said that in order for advertising and marketing to provide benefits to producers and consumers, it was vital that advertising and its regulation commanded consumer confidence. Advertising had to be 'legal, decent, honest and truthful', and 'acceptable' within broader cultural and societal values. There was particular concern that the proposed new self-regulatory system was not sufficiently independent of commercial interests to command public confidence.
Source: Sue Dibb, Future Regulation of Broadcast Advertising: NCC response to the Ofcom consultation, National Consumer Council (020 7730 3469)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Jan