.: Advertising Ethics :.

On 2 August 2011, Media Prima Bhd has received massive criticism from the community saying it is a racist and worst advertisement that they have seen due to the series for the Ramandan commercials on the channel 8TV in Malaysia. After that, the Chief Operating Officer Ahmad Izham Omar announced the apology on a blogging site which is Twitter 'I apologise to everyone offended by the 8TV ads. They were not meant to offend any one in any way. We're sorry for the misinterpretation', (Ahmad Izham Omar, 2011).

Besides that, Ahmad Izham Omar which is the former 8TV chief executive try to comfort the audience or community to 'cool down' and not to 'examine critically' on the commercial which showing how should a Non-Muslims behave during Ramadan bazaar. He select a Chinese girl to become the main actor in that three commercials which includes eating in the public, the tone of voice is loud that attract other people attentions and the way she dress is revealing. 

The Ramadan commercials which is also represent the Hari Raya advertisement for 2011 have been stopped being aired on channel 8TV after the massive criticism or disapproval from the community of Non-Muslims. 

Looking at the pictures in realms of realizations of ideology position, (Kress and Leeuwen, 2006). The sign or visual are usually based on culture. Producer need to double check and look in on every aspect to confirm the message is not offensive and on the right track before deliver out the message to the audiences.

 Source: Youtube (News: Malaysia TV station Ramadan Ads sparks debate - 3 August 2011)

Reference : 

1. Ahmad Izham Omar. 2011. Favstar.Fm. The Best Twitter [online]. [Accessed 16 November 2011]. Available from: http://favstar.fm/users/AhmadIzhamOmar 
2. Kress, G and van Leeuwen, T 2006, ‘The semiotic landscape: language and visual communication’, Reading Images, pg.16-44.
3. Themalaysianinsider. 2011. Media Prima pulls out 'racist' Ramadan ads [online]. [Accessed 16 November 2011]. Available from: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/print/malaysia/media-prima-pulls-out-racist-ramadan-ads/
4. Youtube. 2011. News: Malaysia TV station Ramadan Ads sparks debate [online]. [Accessed 16 November 2011]. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke7p5rp-nbI