1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM In the bid to maximize profit in the prevalent get rich-quick syndrome of some fraudulent entrepreneurs, some indulge in ill-practice of advertising. These unethical practice thus, endangers the well-being of the society and the Nigeria culture in particular. Absolute social responsibility to the customers of advertised goods and service is not ensured due to the fact that buyers are often misted by chronic imitators. As a result of a lot of people haven fallen victim of the unethical practice of advertising known as passing off.
This has been a serious problem facing the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). The researcher in this, study, attempts to find in solution of these problems aforementioned and to particularly evaluate its effects to vitafoam, as a product and measures the company has put in place to correct the problem.
1.3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This research work is aimed at highlighting the reason for increasing level of illegal practice of advertising. The study will primarily look into the magnitude of effect that unethical practice of advertising has caused. The study will also find out whether APCON has developed other strong steps to punishing illegal practitioners.
1.4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The researcher believes that the study will serve as a very useful purpose to the target users. Students, scholars, consumers of goods and services policy makers, advertisers, advertising agencies and advertising researchers would stand to gain a lot from content of this work. This study upholds the high standard of an ideal advertising practice and therefore benefits the advertisers and feaming consumers of advertised goods and services. It serves as an eye opener to a good sense of advertising because the interest of the consumers is paramount.
After close study of this research work, the evil effects of unethical practice of advertising will be drastically reduced, if not bought to an end.
1.5. RESEARCH QUESTIONS To provide a framework for eliciting solution to the research problems, it is necessary that some research questions be formulated. A number of research questions are hereby given below for this reason. 1. Why do some advertisers neglect the ethics of advertising practice?2. What effects have unethical practice of advertising caused?3. Has APCON stipulated any measures to curb illegal advertising? 4. Does advertising lack professional application?5. Why are the media involved in promoting illegal advertising?
1.6. RESEARCH HYPOTHESES H1: Some advertisers neglect the ethics of advertising practice. Ho: Some advertisers do not neglect the ethics of advertising practice.H2: Unethical advertising practice has effect. H0: Unethical advertising practice has no effect.H3: APCON stipulated measures to curb illegal advertising.H4: Advertising lacks professional application.H0: Advertising does not lack professional application.H5: Media involves in promoting illegal advertising.Ho: Media do not involve in promoting illegal advertising.
1.7. CONCEPTUALLY AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
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