Question: Are there restrictions on how people can be portrayed in advertisements?
Answer:Yes. Objectification is where a person is presented in an advertisement as an object. Advertisements often use objectification in the way they portray women. The Australian Association of National Advertising code of ethics prohibits advertisements that discriminate or vilify a person or section of the community on account of gender. Another section also prohibits the use of sexual appeal which is degrading to any individual or group of people. As a business, if you are going to be using the sexual appeal of men or women to promote a product, you need to be careful to show the person’s entire body and ensure the way they are dressed is relevant to the context of the advertisement.
