I don't think it was that long ago The Daily Fail (Simmons) went after NHS doctors who had influencer status on IG and therefore did do paid adverts. Now I cannot speak to all of them, but I know she mentioned an Irish female (I'll avoid naming them) who she went after as she dared do an ad for Alpro Ice Cream. Now as far as I can see, at least this doctor makes it clear when she is being paid to advertise a specific brand and makes it clear she advertises as it funds the brand where she is using her knowledge of medicine and nutrition to help educate. (Now I know she went after another doctor that appeared on 'reality' TV who possibly is a bit more beggy and in it for the fame and money, so the article wasn't completely inappropriate). Was this article only published as it was helping bash the NHS? Possibly. This journalist has also gone after other celebs and influencers for not being honest about eating disorders and hiding behind fake anxiety.
I just don't understand why the same journalist or paper isn't going after influencers like Hinch who clearly are destroying the mental and financial wellbeing of a lot of young females (and potentially males). How can they think an NHS doctor being paid to use Quaker oats for a recipe (that is clearly acknowledged) is worthy of trying to shame, yet not this lot? I get having the NHS doctor role comes with a lot of responsibility, and there definitely are lines not to cross in terms of product endorsements, etc. but when you can clearly see you have a huge amount of easily influenced (potentially mentally fragile) people hanging off your every word, you also share in that responsibility, or have even more, even if you simply started out sharing your dusting! You are cashing in on them being impressionable! I'd imagine most of the doctor's followers realising they can switch out branded oats or cream cheese for supermarket own, and her knowing those followers aren't rushing to the shops to buy the exact same items to photo to be noticed on the 'gram.
I struggle to understand why the 'journalists' being paid by PR to write puff pieces aren't more interested in actually looking out the truth for themselves. Actually looking into all the claims that have been made in this book, etc. Do none of them actually do anything other than copy IG posts and press releases? Where is want to research an actual story?