Revolution: Controversy works for online ads

Free is one of the adjectives most often associated to the Internet. "Free" download, "free" content, but also "free" to express opinions, tell stories, show pictures, and "free" to expose audiences to controversial ads. Until now there hasn't been much discussion about the possibility of censoring online ads, so it's particularly interesting to read Revolution Magazine questioning about the total freedom to show on the Web the same (video) ads that have been censored off of TV. A British Advertising Standards Authority spokeswoman said, "What companies do on their own sites is not in our remit." Not exactly the kind of answer you expect to get from a censor. One ad wag in the article suggests that the important point is that Internet users generally choose to view specific content, where on TV they get passively exposed to it.

No matter the media, censorship, as well as shocking ads, should be used in moderation. Just because marketers can gain attention with shock value doesn't mean that it serves them well in the long run. Perhaps a disclaimer upon launching a racy video ad might be a solution to please everybody.