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. …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. …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