What is with all of the public service TV ads going out in the UK at the moment? Despite the huge government deficit and spending, departments seem to have funds to spend on a number of campaigns to tell UK residents on what they should - and should not - be doing.
Is this a signal of the growing nanny state? Sign of a coming election and the government trying to show how they trying to improve the health and safety of the population? Or a sign of departments spending their budgets before the next tax/ budget year that starts end of March?
Whatever the intent, I think the ads are overall leaving a feeling of unease about the life we live, and adding to an overall feeling of downbeat and uncertainty as they are all depressing and scary. I think it is really depressing at a time when people are already feeling pretty much down
The other weekend I saw on TV:
Smoke alarm warning
It tells us how a few breaths of fumes in a house fire can kill you.
Like drowning it shows a bedroom submerged in water.
Seat belt warning
Shows 2 cars crashing and tells us how the driver was killed by his organs keeping moving when he stopped.
Domestic violence/ bullying
Shows a young girl being pressurised by her boyfriend and then him pushing her about and pulling her hair.
Women and dangers of social drinking
Warns about risks of drinking, showing 2 women chatting at home drinking, with one in an x-ray style so we see her organs and possible effects.
Stroke warning
Warns how to spot a stroke and shows in disturbing acting with a burning effect on the forehead, the mouth, arms etc.
Knife crime
Compares the future of 2 people, one who achieved their ambitions but the other who does not as they got a record for carrying a knife
Benefit Fraud
This shows people being caught claiming benefits and doing some work. It warns that you WILL be caught and 50000 are caught every year.
We saw all of these during 2 back to back programs for example on Sunday morning watching TV with kids. It must be creating a sense if a scary and disturbing world full of danger and also warnings and risks.
I do wonder if there is better way of making and communicating the benefits other than fear and gloom and doom. Isn’t it time to lighten up and be positive? Or is the sad fact that negativity sells and convinces?
1 comment:
I think it is interesting that you ask the question does violence sell. I agree that the world we live in may not be the best place right now, but with so much stress and worry consuming the lives on people, the media isn't doing very much to help. I think it is necessary to inform the public and to keep them safe, but if these public service ads are in it for the wrong reasons I think its wrong to put even more stress on the public.
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