Latest news with #CodeforSelf-RegulationinAdvertising
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ASCI updates code, media companies must label paid posts on social handles
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has introduced a new clause to its Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising , requiring media companies to clearly identify paid content on their social media handles. The move aims to stop advertisements or promotions from being perceived as editorial content, a growing concern in India's fast-changing digital ecosystem. Under the new Clause 1.8, part of Chapter 1 - Truthful and Honest Representation, any paid or sponsored post by a media company must carry a clear disclosure right at the start, so audiences know up front that it is promotional in nature. Acceptable labels include 'Advertisement,' 'Partnership,' 'Ad,' 'Free Gift,' 'Sponsored,' 'Platform disclosure tags' and 'Collaboration.' The Norms of Journalists Conduct also require newspapers to clearly distinguish advertisements from content. The change follows observations consumer complaints about misleading or undisclosed promotions, on platforms where editorial credibility is high. With digital media often serving as a primary news and information source, ASCI says transparency is essential to protect both audiences and media brands. Manisha Kapoor, chief executive officer and secretary general of ASCI, said, "Labelling sponsored content is crucial for several reasons. It builds trust and transparency with the audience, which appreciates knowing whether it's an endorsement or recommending something in exchange for compensation. Second, it helps to comply with the laws and guidelines, which may require one to disclose any material connection or relationship you have with a brand or product. Finally, it helps avoid potential penalties, fines or legal actions from regulators, who may accuse you of deceptive or unfair marketing practices. ASCI monitors such content closely to avoid any brand influence of misleading content by brands.' 'Several media outlets regularly post editorial content on their social media handles. Increasingly, we see that advertisements with no or poorly visible disclosures are making their way to such posts. To maintain the integrity and trust of media news and features, it is important that sponsored or promoted content is distinguished by means of upfront disclosures. This prevents such advertisements from misleading consumers about their true nature. Consumers have a right to know if they are dealing with sponsored or editorial content right at the beginning,' Kapoor added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ASCI orders media to label paid posts, safeguard editorial integrity
The Advertising Standards Council of India ( ASCI ) has added a new clause to its Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising, making it mandatory for media companies to clearly identify paid content on their social media handles. The move aims to prevent advertisements or promotions from being mistaken for editorial content , a growing concern in India's rapidly evolving digital landscape. The new Clause 1.8, introduced under Chapter 1 – Truthful and Honest Representation, mandates that any paid or sponsored post by a media company must carry a clear disclosure right at the beginning. This ensures audiences immediately know the content is promotional. Acceptable labels include 'Advertisement,' 'Partnership,' 'Ad,' 'Free Gift,' 'Sponsored,' 'Platform disclosure tags,' and 'Collaboration.' The Norms of Journalists Conduct also require newspapers to clearly distinguish advertisements from editorial matter. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program The change comes in response to consumer complaints about misleading or undisclosed promotions on platforms where editorial credibility is high. With digital media increasingly serving as a primary source of news and information, ASCI says transparency is vital to protect both audiences and media brands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General of ASCI, said: 'Labelling sponsored content is crucial for several reasons. It builds trust and transparency with the audience, which appreciates knowing whether it's an endorsement or recommending something in exchange for compensation. Second, it helps to comply with the laws and guidelines, which may require one to disclose any material connection or relationship you have with a brand or product. Finally, it helps avoid potential penalties, fines or legal actions from regulators, who may accuse you of deceptive or unfair marketing practices. ASCI monitors such content closely to avoid any brand influence of misleading content by brands.' She added: 'Several media outlets regularly post editorial content on their social media handles. Increasingly, we see that advertisements with no or poorly visible disclosures are making their way to such posts. To maintain the integrity and trust of media news and features, it is important that sponsored or promoted content is distinguished by means of upfront disclosures. This prevents such advertisements from misleading consumers about their true nature. Consumers have a right to know if they are dealing with sponsored or editorial content right at the beginning.'
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
ASCI orders media to label paid posts, safeguard editorial integrity
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has added a new clause to its Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising, making it mandatory for media companies to clearly identify paid content on their social media handles. The move aims to prevent advertisements or promotions from being mistaken for editorial content, a growing concern in India's rapidly evolving digital new Clause 1.8, introduced under Chapter 1 – Truthful and Honest Representation, mandates that any paid or sponsored post by a media company must carry a clear disclosure right at the beginning. This ensures audiences immediately know the content is promotional. Acceptable labels include 'Advertisement,' 'Partnership,' 'Ad,' 'Free Gift,' 'Sponsored,' 'Platform disclosure tags,' and 'Collaboration.' The Norms of Journalists Conduct also require newspapers to clearly distinguish advertisements from editorial change comes in response to consumer complaints about misleading or undisclosed promotions on platforms where editorial credibility is high. With digital media increasingly serving as a primary source of news and information, ASCI says transparency is vital to protect both audiences and media brands. Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General of ASCI, said: 'Labelling sponsored content is crucial for several reasons. It builds trust and transparency with the audience, which appreciates knowing whether it's an endorsement or recommending something in exchange for compensation. Second, it helps to comply with the laws and guidelines, which may require one to disclose any material connection or relationship you have with a brand or product. Finally, it helps avoid potential penalties, fines or legal actions from regulators, who may accuse you of deceptive or unfair marketing practices. ASCI monitors such content closely to avoid any brand influence of misleading content by brands.' She added: 'Several media outlets regularly post editorial content on their social media handles. Increasingly, we see that advertisements with no or poorly visible disclosures are making their way to such posts. To maintain the integrity and trust of media news and features, it is important that sponsored or promoted content is distinguished by means of upfront disclosures. This prevents such advertisements from misleading consumers about their true nature. Consumers have a right to know if they are dealing with sponsored or editorial content right at the beginning.'
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gaming co MPL accuses ASCI of 'tampering' with their ads
Mumbai: Galactus Funware Technology , the parent company of online gaming platform MPL (Mobile Premier League), has issued a legal notice to the Advertising Standards Council of India ( ASCI ), demanding the immediate withdrawal of a whitepaper titled 'Examining Opinion Trading in India' and seeking ₹50 crore in damages for alleged defamation and loss of goodwill. The legal notice, dated May 23, 2025, sent through their legal counsel Trilegal, accuses ASCI of publishing a "biased and unsubstantiated" whitepaper that relies on "tampered" versions of MPL's advertisements and misrepresents their content to mislead consumers. Edited screenshots by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Galactus Funware claims that the ASCI whitepaper, published in May 2025, deliberately edited screenshots of their advertisements to support a "baseless conclusion" that opinion trading involves an "element of risk" and "chances of financial losses". The notice highlights specific instances of alleged tampering, citing that ASCI allegedly removed disclaimers present in the original advertisement, thereby misrepresenting its compliance with advertising codes. Live Events The company states that a screenshot from an educational YouTube video, emphasising 'Skill, Interest, Knowledge', was taken out of context and selectively edited to imply risk, despite the video's focus on skill development. The legal notice states that the white paper's "sensationalist tone reeks of vested interests and a blatant disregard for objectivity". The advertising self-regulatory body, ASCI told ET that they were in receipt of the notice, but a spokesperson denied any wrongdoing. "We are in receipt of the notice and there is absolutely no question of tampering," the regulator said, in response to a query from ET. Mandate questioned Galactus Funware also challenged ASCI's authority to publish such a whitepaper. They argue that ASCI's charter, the Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising, does not provide for commenting on the nature or legality of any industry's operations. Copies of the legal notice have also been sent to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the All India Gaming Federation. When ET reached out to MPL for their response, a spokesperson declined to comment.
