Is advertising speech?

[Urban Ranger]

Here in Hongkong doctors are not allowed to advertise. Recently some doctors want to challenge the restriction on the ground of free speech.

I can't recall seeing doctors in the US and Canda advertise. So it seems that such a restriction also applies there.

More importantly I don't think advertising is speech. Speech is a statement of your position on a particular issue. Advertising serves no such purpose*. So that's not covered by speech.

Besides, if advertising is speech, there wouldn't be such a thing as false advertising.


* I am sure there can be adverts stating a person's position regarding various issues.

[Theben]

Advertising here is covered under free speech, and yes doctors do advertise.

[mrmitchell]

Yes there would - I think false advertising would be analogous to libel or slander or somesuch. But I'm sure Imran would know...

[Asher]

I've heard radio advertisements for emergency rooms on US radio stations.

[Kuciwalker]

I can't recall seeing doctors in the US and Canda advertise. So it seems that such a restriction also applies there.

I hear them all the time on the radio.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Oh, and advertising is speech. Just because its commercial doesn't make it any less of speech.

But, yes, it does have limits. "False Advertising" is no different than "fraud". You aren't protected from saying things that induce fraud.

[Az]

yeah, I think advertising is speech. That doesn't stop it from being stupid in most cases.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Theben
Advertising here is covered under free speech, and yes doctors do advertise.

How come your advertizing is regulated then? How DARES the government regulate speech?

[Kuciwalker]

Own goal!

[duke o' york]

If Ming says it is, then it is. I'm not sure why doctors would need to advertise, but if you mean specialist plastic surgeons, etc, then they do here. Otherwise, it's a case of the government doing national adverts "Go to your GP more often" (aimed mostly at men, I admit), so individual doctors don't have to. Private healthcare companies do, all too much, but then I don't know the system in Hong Kong.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, since we only have individual doctors (not connected to a national health care system) they have to advertize for themselves.

[Kuciwalker]

Though most of the advertising I hear is for dentists and eye surgeons.

[Last Conformist]

Imagine if false advertizing laws applied to political promises.

[Agathon]

Advertising medical services and certain drugs is banned in most developed countries.

You can advertise your hospital to get people to go there to have children and stuff. You just aren't allowed to make medical claims IIRC.

The reason is simple: advertising is so deeply steeped in bull****, and medical decisions are so important, that it's best if the two are kept apart.

[Imran Siddiqui]

You just aren't allowed to make medical claims IIRC.

So pharmacuticals aren't allowed to make scientifically supported claims? How do you lot figure out what, say, Viagra does?