يقول الرئيس التنفيذي لهيئة تنظيم الإعلام عبداللطيف العبداللطيف، إن رخصة «موثوق» لعبت دوراً في حماية السوق من الإعلانات المضللة، وهذا صحيح، لكنها لم تسهم في حماية المستهلك من رداءة المنتجات والسلع التي روج لها من قبل بعض المشاهير، وهذه معضلة لا تتحمل مسؤوليتها هيئة تنظيم الإعلام وحدها، بقدر ما تتحملها مجموعة جهات كوزارة التجارة، والجمارك، والمواصفات والمقاييس، التي تتشارك مسؤولية السماح بدخول هذه السلع وتداولها في السوق !
بعض المشاهير – للأسف – قبل وبعد «موثوق»، لا هم لهم سوى تحقيق الأرباح الطائلة من وراء إعلانات حساباتهم في منصات التواصل الاجتماعي، دون اكتراث بمصلحة المستهلك، وبعضهم مارس الكذب من خلال امتداح مزايا وصفات جودة لا وجود لها في المنتجات التي روجوا لها، وهذا يدخل في باب الاحتيال الذي يجب أن يحاسب عليه القانون، وهنا تتحمل هيئة الإعلام مسؤولية استمرار صلاحية رخصة «موثوق» !
شخصياً، توقفت عن تصديق إعلانات المشاهير منذ مدة طويلة، وامتنعت عن شراء المنتجات التي يسوقون لها أو تصديق مديحهم لبعض المطاعم التي يروجون لها – خاصة تلك التي يستخدمون فيها نبرة الصوت «الخاثرة!» – بعد أن لمست عدم مصداقية محتواهم الترويجي، وحاولت من جانبي توعية المستهلك بالحذر والحفاظ على حقوقه، لكن التوعية وحدها لا تكفي، خاصة مع علو موجة إعلانات المشاهير، ولا بد من دور فعال للجهات الرقابية في حماية المستهلك والحد من التلاعب بحاجاته وعواطفه !
هناك واجب أصيل لحماية المستهلك، الذي يتعرض – منذ أزل التجارة – لحملات لا تتوقف من الترويج الإعلاني والتشويق الاستهلاكي، وفي غالب الأحيان يكون هو الحلقة الأضعف في عمليات البيع والشراء وخدمات ما بعد البيع !
باختصار.. «موثوق» ترمز للثقة، وحتى يدرك بعض المشاهير معنى الثقة، لا غنى عن مسؤولية رقابة الهيئة !
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
The CEO of the Media Regulatory Authority, Abdul Latif Al-Abdul Latif, says that the "Mawthuq" license has played a role in protecting the market from misleading advertisements, and this is true. However, it has not contributed to protecting consumers from the poor quality of products and goods promoted by some celebrities. This is a dilemma that cannot be solely attributed to the Media Regulatory Authority, as it is shared by several entities such as the Ministry of Commerce, Customs, and Standards and Specifications, which share the responsibility of allowing these goods to enter and circulate in the market!
Some celebrities – unfortunately – before and after "Mawthuq," are only concerned with making huge profits from the advertisements on their social media accounts, without caring about the consumer's interest. Some of them have resorted to lying by praising features and qualities of products that do not exist in the items they promoted, which falls under the category of fraud that the law should hold them accountable for. Here, the Media Authority bears the responsibility for the continued validity of the "Mawthuq" license!
Personally, I stopped believing in celebrity advertisements a long time ago and refrained from purchasing the products they market or believing their praise for certain restaurants they promote – especially those where they use the tone of voice "the exaggerated!" – after I sensed the lack of credibility in their promotional content. I have tried to raise consumer awareness about being cautious and protecting their rights, but awareness alone is not enough, especially with the rising wave of celebrity advertisements. There must be an effective role for regulatory bodies in protecting consumers and limiting manipulation of their needs and emotions!
There is an inherent duty to protect the consumer, who has been subjected – since the dawn of commerce – to relentless campaigns of advertising promotion and consumer enticement. Most of the time, they are the weakest link in buying and selling processes and after-sales services!
In short.. "Mawthuq" symbolizes trust, and for some celebrities to understand the meaning of trust, the responsibility of the regulatory authority is indispensable!
Some celebrities – unfortunately – before and after "Mawthuq," are only concerned with making huge profits from the advertisements on their social media accounts, without caring about the consumer's interest. Some of them have resorted to lying by praising features and qualities of products that do not exist in the items they promoted, which falls under the category of fraud that the law should hold them accountable for. Here, the Media Authority bears the responsibility for the continued validity of the "Mawthuq" license!
Personally, I stopped believing in celebrity advertisements a long time ago and refrained from purchasing the products they market or believing their praise for certain restaurants they promote – especially those where they use the tone of voice "the exaggerated!" – after I sensed the lack of credibility in their promotional content. I have tried to raise consumer awareness about being cautious and protecting their rights, but awareness alone is not enough, especially with the rising wave of celebrity advertisements. There must be an effective role for regulatory bodies in protecting consumers and limiting manipulation of their needs and emotions!
There is an inherent duty to protect the consumer, who has been subjected – since the dawn of commerce – to relentless campaigns of advertising promotion and consumer enticement. Most of the time, they are the weakest link in buying and selling processes and after-sales services!
In short.. "Mawthuq" symbolizes trust, and for some celebrities to understand the meaning of trust, the responsibility of the regulatory authority is indispensable!

