It’s time to share some thoughts on the recent French bill aimed at regulating influencers and content creators in the reality TV industry.
The debate raises a broader question about the role of reality TV influencers and content creators in today’s media landscape. Although they are often grouped together, these two types of creators have very different approaches to content creation and different practices regarding product placements.
Reality TV influencers typically gain their popularity through appearances on TV shows, where they often play up drama and controversy to generate viewer interest. There have been instances of these influencers promoting plastic surgeons, pills that claim to reduce vaginal size, and more recently, promoting “copy trading,” which involves investing money and then replicating the financial positions taken by traders to make a profit, often on speculative markets. This significant scam has allowed two reality TV influencers to earn thousands of euros.
Furthermore, another issue promoted by this type of influencer was the NFT Animoon platform selling NFTs. Once the NFT sale was completed, the platform did not deliver what was promised, including luxury clothing, trips to Japan, Pokemon cards, and $2,500 per month for life. This scam brought together 5,000 people and raised $6.3 million. As a result, the French AVI collective (Aide aux Victimes d’Influenceurs) was created, and two complaints for “fraud” and “breach of trust” were addressed to the Paris prosecutor’s office on behalf of around one hundred people.
Content creators, on the other hand, focus on creating original content that resonates with their audience. They can specialize in specific niches, such as beauty or video games, for example, and often have a more loyal following. No scams or questionable product placements have been identified among content creators. The only criticism made is that sometimes certain product placements have not been mentioned in their videos. But isn’t this similar to cinema? In any case, content creators prove to be more trustworthy than reality TV influencers.
Ultimately, the debate on the bill highlights the need for transparency and accountability in influencer marketing. While some may argue that it unfairly targets a specific group of creators, it is important to remember that the goal is to protect consumers and ensure they have access to honest and trustworthy information.
What do you think?
