Reality Television, Photoshopping, and Government Guidelines
Guidelines and regulations regarding photoshop in advertising and the contents of reality television are both uncertain and weak. In the articles “The Collective Conscience Of Reality Television” by Serena Elavia and “In Our Photoshopping Disorder” by Erin Cunningham, both authors discuss how in today's media the lack of restrictions cause a false sense of reality. Elavia, a reporter for Fox Business Network, mentions in her article several reality television shows and their networks that push it to the limit and bend the existing guidelines for ratings. Cunningham, senior fashion editor at Refinery29, mentions in her article the use of photoshop in advertising that gives an unrealistic view of people. Both authors have a consensus that stricter laws should be in place to protect the subjects as well as the viewer.
Elavia and Cunningham both agree that there needs to be stronger regulations on what the media portrays to the public. Both authors agree that the government needs to take action. Advertisers and networks cannot be left to regulate themselves, the public needs protection. They also point out that photoshopped advertising sells and reality television ratings sell. This suggests that money is the bottom line no matter how it affects anyone. Elavia says, “Networks are willing to show almost everything, regardless of the impact on its cast members, until their viewers get upset, lash out on social media, or threaten to stop watching entirely” (220). Cunningham states that the American Medical Association asked the advertising industry to, “develop guidelines...that would discourage the altering of photographs in a manner that could promote unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image” (216). If regulations are not in place, the public can lose sight of reality. When images are altered reality becomes unrealistic. Cunningham points out that photoshopping gives a false sense of reality. She states that this false sense can cause mental and eating disorders for viewers, especially children and teeanagers who are most impressionable (217). This can be damaging to them. Their self esteem can drop as they feel that they must look like the photoshop models they see. Elavia points out that reality television sets its standards and content of what the viewers like and dislike (220-221). There is no real script but the network will pick and choose what the viewers will see and will not see. This does not give a sense of reality when viewers are only shown what producers choose to show. The viewer can begin to feel that the …show more content…
Elavia says, “This question of empathy should not be restricted to producers and networks” (222). Cunningham says, “the FTC needs to make strides-albeit, small ones-to regulate photoshopping” (219). Cunningham talks about Seth Matlins, a former Hollywood marketing executive who had called for the Federal Trade Commission to regulate and prevent altered images that can be harmful to viewers (216). There is an official bill, H.R. 4341: Truth in Advertising Act of 2014, submitted to Congress to regulate the altering of images but does not require the Federal Trade Commission to take direct action (216). Elavia points out that the networks and producers regulate what the content for the reality shows are. The cast sign contracts but if the networks and producers find a way around the guidelines in a contract, they will use it to their
Guidelines and regulations regarding photoshop in advertising and the contents of reality television are both uncertain and weak. In the articles “The Collective Conscience Of Reality Television” by Serena Elavia and “In Our Photoshopping Disorder” by Erin Cunningham, both authors discuss how in today's media the lack of restrictions cause a false sense of reality. Elavia, a reporter for Fox Business Network, mentions in her article several reality television shows and their networks that push it to the limit and bend the existing guidelines for ratings. Cunningham, senior fashion editor at Refinery29, mentions in her article the use of photoshop in advertising that gives an unrealistic view of people. Both authors have a consensus that stricter laws should be in place to protect the subjects as well as the viewer.
Elavia and Cunningham both agree that there needs to be stronger regulations on what the media portrays to the public. Both authors agree that the government needs to take action. Advertisers and networks cannot be left to regulate themselves, the public needs protection. They also point out that photoshopped advertising sells and reality television ratings sell. This suggests that money is the bottom line no matter how it affects anyone. Elavia says, “Networks are willing to show almost everything, regardless of the impact on its cast members, until their viewers get upset, lash out on social media, or threaten to stop watching entirely” (220). Cunningham states that the American Medical Association asked the advertising industry to, “develop guidelines...that would discourage the altering of photographs in a manner that could promote unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image” (216). If regulations are not in place, the public can lose sight of reality. When images are altered reality becomes unrealistic. Cunningham points out that photoshopping gives a false sense of reality. She states that this false sense can cause mental and eating disorders for viewers, especially children and teeanagers who are most impressionable (217). This can be damaging to them. Their self esteem can drop as they feel that they must look like the photoshop models they see. Elavia points out that reality television sets its standards and content of what the viewers like and dislike (220-221). There is no real script but the network will pick and choose what the viewers will see and will not see. This does not give a sense of reality when viewers are only shown what producers choose to show. The viewer can begin to feel that the …show more content…
Elavia says, “This question of empathy should not be restricted to producers and networks” (222). Cunningham says, “the FTC needs to make strides-albeit, small ones-to regulate photoshopping” (219). Cunningham talks about Seth Matlins, a former Hollywood marketing executive who had called for the Federal Trade Commission to regulate and prevent altered images that can be harmful to viewers (216). There is an official bill, H.R. 4341: Truth in Advertising Act of 2014, submitted to Congress to regulate the altering of images but does not require the Federal Trade Commission to take direct action (216). Elavia points out that the networks and producers regulate what the content for the reality shows are. The cast sign contracts but if the networks and producers find a way around the guidelines in a contract, they will use it to their