How does advertising benefit the society? Why is advertising criticised?

Benefits of Advertising to Society:

1. Generates Employment — Advertising creates employment opportunities for a large number of persons including artists, copywriters, advertising agents and pressmen. It also generates indirect employment by increasing the scale of business operations.

2. Raises Standard of Living — Advertising leads to variety in consumption and use of better quality products. Growing use of household appliances like microwave ovens, air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines has helped raise the standard of living.

3. Sustains the Press — Advertising is a great source of revenue for newspapers and magazines. As a result, the public can get newspapers and magazines at very low prices.

4. Adds to Art and Culture — Advertising provides new knowledge to the public and helps improve social customs and attitudes, thereby adding to culture.

5. Promotes Healthy Competition — Advertising promotes healthy competition and growth of business. It acts as a barometer of the country's economic growth.

Why Advertising is Criticised:

1. Higher Prices — Advertising increases the prices of products as the expenses are passed on to consumers.

2. Wastage of Resources — Money spent on advertising is sheer waste because it does not add to the utility of products. Advertisements only shift demand from one product to another rather than creating new demand.

3. Deceptive and Untruthful — False statements and exaggerated claims are made in advertisements, misleading customers into buying inferior products.

4. Vulgarity — Some advertisements exploit emotions and use vulgar, obscene or offensive content. Advertising may also be used to promote harmful products such as cigarettes and liquor.