Napoleonland
22-04-2004, 05:05
Hi all. How about this issue? Actually, it's a real life issue because parents' groups in some states had tried to ban commercials for pre-school kids and... well, I guess there's no need to tell whether they had any luck with it.
So here's the issue as I submitted it couple weeks ago.
=======================================
Name: Corporations to kids: "Just watch me"
Description: Parents are outraged with the way marketing corporations target their kids
Validity: Not valid for nations that outlawed corporations or private sector
Options:
[option]"This is terrible!", Says @@RANDOMNAME@@, mother of three. "My kids spend only an hour a day watching TV but that's enough for them to see at least 20 commercials. No wonder my five year old son says that a birthday present he'd like more than anything else would be a box of Agy-Gagy chocolate bars. Think about it -- was a box of brand name chocolate bars something YOU wanted more than anything else when you were his age? We should not allow corporations to target our children! Kids shows must be commercial free!"
[effect]Corporations are prohibited from advertising to kids
[option]"You must be kidding!" Exclaims @@RANDOMNAME@@, a president of Agy-Gagy Inc Unlimited. "We give your kids an extraordinary life experience! Without these commercials they'll never learn to make the right decisions until it's too late. Plus, the money we get from the chocolate bar sales funds the broadcasting of the TV shows your kids love so much. Without us paying for the advertising, TV stations will have to ask for government subsidies or move all the kids' shows to the paid channels. Is that something you'd like to happen?"
[effect]Kids want a box of brand name chocolate bars more than anything in the world
[option]"I got a better solution," says CEO of @@NAME@@ Electronics Inc @@RANDOMNAME@@. "This recently developed device would make sure you get no commercials on your TV. All we need to do is start producing TV sets with this lovely device built in. That will require no action from the government and it will boost the high-tech which in its turn is going to provide new career opportunities for those about to lose their jobs in sales and marketing."
[effect]Marketers struggle as commecials are only viewed by those who can't afford a brand new TV set
[option]"No, that goes too far," argues Reverend @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of the Religious Youth Association that runs an aggressive ad campaign on YouthTV. "Businesses and organizations should be able to bring their message to the public. But at the same time their message should comply with rules of morals and decency, especially when it comes to our children. Commercials that teach godless and disobedient behavior, like the one where children are encouraged to buy a chocolate bar despite the will of their parents, should not be permitted. I suggest we establish a special council to review every commercial and TV show designed for our children, making sure that television doesn't send the wrong message to the young minds.
[effect]Commercials teach kids they must go to church and obey their parents to get their favorite chocolate bars
[option]"I think I've heard them all," concludes radical socialist senator @@RANDOMNAME@@. "We've seen a corporate predator worried about nothing but his profits, then we've seen another corporate predator ready to profit on his companion's misfortune and finally we've got a religious obscurant proposing nothing but censorship. That does it! I suggest the government takes over all the businesses that service children. That would be the best way to ensure that our kid's interests are not sacrifised in favor of corporate profits.
[effect]Tasteless chocolate bars in a dull gray wrapping are the only ones left in the market
So here's the issue as I submitted it couple weeks ago.
=======================================
Name: Corporations to kids: "Just watch me"
Description: Parents are outraged with the way marketing corporations target their kids
Validity: Not valid for nations that outlawed corporations or private sector
Options:
[option]"This is terrible!", Says @@RANDOMNAME@@, mother of three. "My kids spend only an hour a day watching TV but that's enough for them to see at least 20 commercials. No wonder my five year old son says that a birthday present he'd like more than anything else would be a box of Agy-Gagy chocolate bars. Think about it -- was a box of brand name chocolate bars something YOU wanted more than anything else when you were his age? We should not allow corporations to target our children! Kids shows must be commercial free!"
[effect]Corporations are prohibited from advertising to kids
[option]"You must be kidding!" Exclaims @@RANDOMNAME@@, a president of Agy-Gagy Inc Unlimited. "We give your kids an extraordinary life experience! Without these commercials they'll never learn to make the right decisions until it's too late. Plus, the money we get from the chocolate bar sales funds the broadcasting of the TV shows your kids love so much. Without us paying for the advertising, TV stations will have to ask for government subsidies or move all the kids' shows to the paid channels. Is that something you'd like to happen?"
[effect]Kids want a box of brand name chocolate bars more than anything in the world
[option]"I got a better solution," says CEO of @@NAME@@ Electronics Inc @@RANDOMNAME@@. "This recently developed device would make sure you get no commercials on your TV. All we need to do is start producing TV sets with this lovely device built in. That will require no action from the government and it will boost the high-tech which in its turn is going to provide new career opportunities for those about to lose their jobs in sales and marketing."
[effect]Marketers struggle as commecials are only viewed by those who can't afford a brand new TV set
[option]"No, that goes too far," argues Reverend @@RANDOMNAME@@, head of the Religious Youth Association that runs an aggressive ad campaign on YouthTV. "Businesses and organizations should be able to bring their message to the public. But at the same time their message should comply with rules of morals and decency, especially when it comes to our children. Commercials that teach godless and disobedient behavior, like the one where children are encouraged to buy a chocolate bar despite the will of their parents, should not be permitted. I suggest we establish a special council to review every commercial and TV show designed for our children, making sure that television doesn't send the wrong message to the young minds.
[effect]Commercials teach kids they must go to church and obey their parents to get their favorite chocolate bars
[option]"I think I've heard them all," concludes radical socialist senator @@RANDOMNAME@@. "We've seen a corporate predator worried about nothing but his profits, then we've seen another corporate predator ready to profit on his companion's misfortune and finally we've got a religious obscurant proposing nothing but censorship. That does it! I suggest the government takes over all the businesses that service children. That would be the best way to ensure that our kid's interests are not sacrifised in favor of corporate profits.
[effect]Tasteless chocolate bars in a dull gray wrapping are the only ones left in the market