Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 182 words written
Opening
In the times of likes, comments and shares, celebrity endorsements have taken a significant position to carry consumerist capitalism. Due to their major influence, they have major ethical responsibilities too.
Body · points
Ethical concerns
- Psychological indoctrination: That consuming more of their product will give viewers happiness, fulfilment, success etc.
- Conditioning the mass psyche to desire for the advertised products and services.
- Observational learning: like gender roles from social media ex Stalking girls made to look common and cool in Bollywood.
- Role model copying ex A cricketer endorsing alcohol brand drew backlash.
- Mental health impacts like body-shaming.
Measures
- Disclosure of deal: as mandated by the Indian government like sponsorship.
- No fabrication of ingredients, results, unwarranted research etc : Objectivity.
- Honesty of usage by the celebrity before endorsing on self.
- Legal responsibility on endorsers, along with producers on any ill-effects.
- Self-regulation on part of celebrity to not propagate harmful notions ex Fairness creams.
Close · a quotation
We risk leading to a situation where: "we know the price of everything but value of nothing." Ethical endorsements thus lead the way.