Buscombe hits out at Which?

Advertising Association chief executive Peta Buscombe has hit out at consumer organisation Which? for having its “own ideological agenda” and not being independent enough.

In a speech to the annual conference of the Society of Editors, Buscombe said: “On the one hand they [Which?] seem to be an independent impartial champion for the consumer. On the other, they act as a pressure group with an ideological agenda of their own.

“Of course they are a magazine publisher too and sales of their magazine depend on turbulence. There has to be a conflict of interest there and yet they are often portrayed as the independent and neutral consumers association – broadcasters quietly forgetting that they do have an agenda of their own. They are even allowed to advertise on television in contrast to virtually all other lobby groups.”

Talking about the advertising industry “under siege”, she added that advertising has been an “easy target” for politicians.

She added that all consumer groups lobbying the Government are pursuing an agenda of their own and often focus on a single issue “to the detriment of the wider picture.”