Get real and ban 'enhanced' images (Norwich Liberal Democrats Online)

Norwich Liberal Democrats Online <info@norwichlibdems.org.uk>

Get real and ban 'enhanced' images

September 21, 2009 12:42 PM

In a letter to the local press Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, criticises the unrealistic images of women in advertising.

"Regarding Sue Anderson's letter complaining about the unrealistic size and shape of shop mannequins (Eastern Daily Press Letter, September 15) I share her concerns about the possible impacts particularly on young women of these and many of the other advertising images around us. We are constantly presented with images of women who are young, tall, extremely thin, and that have been made to look flawless through computer 'enhancement'.

Increasingly unrealistic images of women have gone hand-in-hand with a huge increase in reported eating disorders, particularly amongst young people. In 2004, there were 562 cases of bulimia and anorexia in girls under 18 who were admitted for treatment. Last year, that figure leapt to 825.

There is real and urgent need for more regulation on advertisers.

Altered and enhanced body images should be prevented in advertising aimed at under 16s. Where other adverts do use digital retouching technology to present perfected images of women, this should be clearly indicated by the advertiser so that people are making informed choices. It's irresponsible and dishonest to take already underweight women and then slice off pieces of their thighs or hips on computer screens.

The campaign website at http://www.realwomen.org.uk/takeaction/ gives people an online way of reporting examples of unrealistic and unhealthy images in adverts to the Advertising Standards Agency and the Committee of Advertising Practice. This campaign, promoted by the Liberal Democrats, has received backing from a range of organizations, including The National Centre for Eating Disorders, Girlguiding UK and leading academics."

Simon Wright

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South

10 Ellcar Rise

Norwich

NR4 6HR

simon@simonwright.org.uk