Description

This presentation, delivered at the just concluded Audiences & Advertising Summit 2025, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, is presented by the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), a self-regulatory body for advertising in the broadcast environment, focusing on consumer protection. The document highlights three options for regulation: legislation, self-regulation, and co-regulation. The ARB operates as a self-regulator, a system that is described as being fast, cheap, and flexible.

The ARB’s membership includes various industry bodies, such as the

NAB for broadcasters and MASA for marketers. The complaint process involves an initial assessment, a response from the advertiser, and a final decision. Decisions can be appealed through several committees. Members and licensed broadcasters are bound by the ARB’s rules and decisions.

The document also addresses different types of advertising concerns, including offensive content, misleading claims, and comparative advertising. For social media, the ARB considers content that promotes goods or services, including paid influencer posts, to be advertising.

Some key points from the resource include:

● Social Media and Influencers
● ARB Membership and Structure
● Legislation, self-regulation, and co-regulation