Warning: This image has image has been retouched

If a group of French politicians have their way, a warning like the title of this post will appear on all retouched images found in print media and packaging.  Failure to disclose that airbrushing or retouching has been done to an image could carry a fine of $16k or up to 50% of the campaign's cost.  

The effort has been spearheaded by Valerie Boyer, author of a report on eating disorders.  Like other experts, she believes that the distorted bodies displayed in the media create anxiety and ultimately behavior change that harms young women trying to live up to a false sense of reality.  

What do you think about this type of warning?  Do you think it would work in America? 

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Comments
Ashley Daye wrote re: Warning: This image has image has been retouched
on 29 Sep 2009 10:57 AM

I think this is a great idea! The reason why we have so many women and men out there with eating disorders if because the media has displayed such skewed ideas on body image. We live in a society that is always pushing the way we look. Am I too tall? Am I to short? I wish I was skinnier, how did she get that body, what kind of diet is she on? Celebrities may have great rock-hard bodies, but yes they have nutritionist, trainers and personal chefs. I think people out there should know that retouching is done...we are not perfect, we all have flaws. We are made in God's image.

LoriB wrote re: Warning: This image has image has been retouched
on 28 Sep 2009 3:08 PM

I think this is great.  Too many girls/women feel bad about themselves because they will never look like these unrealistic images.  I think it's a great idea to make the audience aware of the effects added to the photos.

sarahsings wrote re: Warning: This image has image has been retouched
on 25 Sep 2009 11:02 AM

Even though we may all know that most images are retouched, that models who are held up to us as having an ideal body actually represent only 2 or 3 percent of the population, it's still helpful to have reminders that this is not reality. If we are to be bombarded with unrealistic images on a daily basis, the warning seems only fair. If having a warning prompts the industry to use more realistic images, so much the better.

Elizabeth wrote re: Warning: This image has image has been retouched
on 24 Sep 2009 1:36 PM

I think it's great!  I think it would be a reminder to all women and girls looking through magazines that these photos aren't real.  Or at least about 50% of the woman in the picture has been "improved".  It might also spark more companies to show real women in their campaigns.  It's about time we swing the other way, towards authenticity and away from plastic perfect.

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