New York criminal defense lawyers may have a new law on their hands.
In New York City, imagine seeing a billboard of a gorgeous model with a perfect complexion to match her perfect hips. Not very hard to picture is it? That's because these towering Amazonian goddesses are already littering the city on buses, window displays, and buildings. But, if one draft of a bill goes through, New York may have some fine print to accompany those fine models: "retouched."
This draft law, proposed by Valerie Boyer, would have any advertisement picture carry a statement at the bottom that notifies the viewer that the picture has been altered, reports the New York Times. If a company were to not have the disclamer, they could face criminal charges. So what exactly is the crime?
Some believe that the crime would be for promoting an ideal that is impossible to achieve. This goes back to the old argument that children need to be taught to appreciate their bodies. It is too common that girls hate themselves for not being as pretty or as skinny as many woman in ads.
Other people see the real crime as infringing on art. The flow or fantasy of the image will be interrupted by the disclaimer. Also, in order to avoid the "retouched" label, they may have to sacrifice the beauty of their image for a pimple, or a wrinkle, or two. And what about censorship? Aren't artists allowed to make things of beauty even if it deviates slightly from the truth?
If the label "retouched" was at the bottom of these images, Mrs. Boyer hopes that it may remind girls not to judge themselves too harshly when even models need to be digitally "perfected." This draft is meant to protect the viewer of the ad from low self-esteem and possibly eating disorders, but is this possible?
An eating disorder is a highly complicated disease that can't be stopped by closing off one avenue. Also, the Surgeon General's warning is on the side of every pack of cigarettes. It is there so the public is aware of the danger of smoking, but how much good has that done? Has that really woken anyone up to how unhealthy cigarette's are?
Other people see the real crime as infringing on art. The flow or fantasy of the image will be interrupted by the disclaimer. Also, in order to avoid the "retouched" label, they may have to sacrifice the beauty of their image for a pimple, or a wrinkle, or two. And what about censorship? Aren't artists allowed to make things of beauty even if it deviates slightly from the truth?
On that subject, whoever said that art was truth?
This is a very touchy subject that will be monitored for future developments, because if this passes where will it stop and who will be at risk? Will wedding photographers not be able to use retouched photos to advertise their skill? Would the criminal charge be catagorized with fraud or mental child abuse?
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