Advertisement capable of disorienting public banned

KATHMANDU: An advertisement code of conduct issued by the government today bans the advertisement capable of disorienting public/onlookers and causing road accidents. It does not entertain the placing of hoarding boards, pamphlets, posters and other advertising materials likely of distracting or diverting the attention of passersby and disorienting them in urban areas and the areas surrounding the highways. The code of conduct relating to the production, dissemination, publication and broadcasting of advertisement does not allow over-bright advertising materials or those capable of affecting road transport at night. Likewise, advertisement materials capable of damaging the beauty of public structures and the street have been banned. It does not allow the dissemination of foreign advertisement materials by dubbing in Nepali. The code states that aspects of gender equality and social justice should be promoted while carrying out any direct and indirect advertisement-related activities. It has banned the sexualisation and objectification of women and presented them as a means of entertainment. The code has not allowed the production of advertisements capable of hurting the dignity of Dalits, indigenous, ethnic communities, Madhesi, Muslims, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities or a group or community of any geography or region. It aims to prevent the production of programmes,  electronic games or films likely to create terror, threat or fear among children and insult and hurt their dignity. Likewise, there will not be allowed the advertisement for any medicine claiming to cure multiple health issues, advertisements for those drugs not registered medically and others containing scientifically unverified details. Likewise, the advertisements of medically unverified substances claiming to increase height or weight or reduce weight have also been banned. The code of conduct states that advertisements should not be given without including warning messages about beverages and drinks produced with various colours and artificial tastes. It also prohibits advertisements prompting or alluring the use of any foodstuff calling it micronutrient and energiser without the recommendation of nutritionists and dieticians. The code of conduct mentions that the persons concerned should immediately remove or improve the hoarding boards or message boards that are torn, broken or discoloured affecting the urban and local beauty. Similarly, hoarding boards should not be installed so as to cause inconvenience for the movement of people on the pavement and at the religious and archaeological heritage sites by blocking the sight and uniqueness of such sites. The code of conduct provides for placing advertisement materials of the stipulated size and quality only in the permitted places. The code of conduct which has come into effect today contains 13 sections. This is the first time that such a code has been implemented in the country. Only a few topics related to advertisement used to be included in the media-related laws or code of ethics in the past.

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Government issues Advertisement Code of Conduct, Minister Karki insists on implementation [caption id="attachment_25936" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki addresses a programme organised to unveil code of conduct relating to advertisement production, its dissemination, publication and broadcasting in Kathmandu, on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Photo: RSS[/caption] Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, has said the implementation aspect of any policy is more important than its formulation. In his address to a programme organised here today to unveil code of conduct relating to advertisement production, its dissemination, publication and broadcasting, the Minister said though each code of conduct is applied to all, the misconception that "I am free from it" made the implementation aspect challenging. He urged one and all to realise that code of conduct is for all and none is allowed to violate it. The Communication Minister was of the opinion of promoting freedom and good governance simultaneously in the nation. "Discipline should be the first priority and is also a prerequisite to taking the country towards the path of development, civilisation and good governance." He said the Ministry is committed to removing possible hurdles in the enforcement of the code of conduct. "The code of conduct coming into effect from today will yield results after a week," the Minister said, adding that talks, discussions and consultations would make the implementation aspect easier. [caption id="attachment_25934" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Secretary Baikuntha Aryal addresses a programme organised to unveil code of conduct relating to advertisement production, its dissemination, publication and broadcasting in Kathmandu, on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Photo: RSS[/caption] Also speaking on the occasion, Ministry secretary Baikuntha Aryal hoped that with the enforcement of code of conduct, the advertisement sector will be more competent and transparent while Advertisement Board Nepal chair Laxman Humagain said the Board had held several rounds of discussions with advertising agencies, media professionals and journalists' associations in course of drafting the code of conduct. Board chief administrative officer Ram Prasad Sapkota was hopeful of seeing the results of code of conduct after a brief time while Media Society Nepal's Madan Lamsal pressed the idea of regulating media in Nepal to assess its presence. Press Council Nepal's chair Balkrishna Basnet said the code of conduct has made the Council's monitoring easier and Advertising Association Nepal chair Som Dhital stressed the need of removing mismanagement in each sector. Journalist Babita Basnet said she expected to see the recognition of women's talents and their intelligence instead of objectification of their bodies in advertisements following the implementation of code of conduct. This is the first time the government has brought a code of conduct for governing the advertisement business. By RSS READ ALSO:

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