Freedom of expression and media abuse: an analysis of miracle products adverts on Mexican television

Abstract

Freedom, equality and other values have been a premise of most liberation movements and the individual rights granted by the states, republics and other forms of societal organization. In the countries of Latin America, somehow the constitution guarantees freedom of citizens and members of their societies in any of the ages that are in their evolutionary steps into adulthood, adulthood of individuals and of societies. Freedom, as a general and abstract concept, would be insufficient if not come into plausible lots of freedom. And between these portions, measurable, achievable and desirable, we find the freedom of expression. Moreover, the final realization of freedom of expression is given the freedom to publish, to express orally, in writing, ideographic (and with the advent and multimedia technology available), the ability to create and disseminate images, videos, advertising and endless other possibilities. This pluralism of possibilities verges on abuse when there is no regulation not only of the state, but society through certain means. In this paper we study the abuse of advertising and media coverage on TV miracle solutions to Mexico last year. We combine the testing of ideas, criticism and documentation of facts, citing sources and examples. The approach is from a transdisciplinary perspective between communication, education and health.

Keywords: communication, advertising, T.V. abuse, freedom, expression

Submission date: February 02nd 2011
Acceptance date: April 35th 2011