By Editor Morten B. Reitoft · photo used with permission from Grakom.
The Danish Federations of Printers, Grakom today issued a press release (in Danish) about the consequences of bashing printed mass-marketing. Mass-marketing has for several years been an essential part of the retail communication - of course, combined with radio/tv and other channels.
The Socialists People Party (SF) in Denmark have recently suggested that the current opt-out should be changed to an opt-in instead. The CEO of Grakom, Thomas Torp explains "This is the ultimate genuflection for the tech-giants since this will push printed marketing in the arms of the giants", and as he states "most likely lead to even more advertising noise on the Internet."
However, there are some more serious concerns in the statement. I am, of course, not questioning the importance of the fight against climate changes, but if politicians and influencers, in general, are allowed to suggest, and alter our society based on emotions rather than facts, then we as a society are in poor condition.
SF is a political party claiming to fight for the environment, but in this example, don't even come close to producing suggestions that are based on facts. Is using the Internet better than Print? No. The printing industry has with multiple organisations supporting this, proven that Print is sustainable, and have a lower carbon footprint than IT.
So the suggestion is most likely not doing anything good for the environment. However, the "feel-good-feeling" may be good enough for the politicians, since a lot of the supporters of a greener environment don't know either. How should it be possible to think otherwise, when a politician is supposed to do his homework? Even more "funny" is the fact that the same political party also bashes the large tech-companies for not paying enough tax in the countries they operate in - so this is double jeopardy. No winners. This suggestion will only make Denmark poorer.
When politicians come with suggestions like this, it's populism at worst. Carl Valentin is the speaker of environment for the Socialists Peoples Party. He is 27 years old, he has no formal education, and he is elected with only 2.074 personal votes. This in itself is maybe not a problem, but the impact of decisions or suggestions like this has a tremendous effect on the printing industry. The price of this stupid suggestion is unemployment, taxes, and loss of businesses. This in itself isn't a problem either if suggestions like this were fact-based, and made with open eyes towards solving a problem, but it isn't!
Printing is often bashed for not being environmentally friendly, but the printing companies in Denmark - are considered some of the greenest. Most retailers using printed mass-distribution also demand FSC, PEFC and Nordic Eco labelled paper/productions. That is on top of rigid legislation that often gives Danish printers competitive dis-advantages, it can be quite an issue to be bashed by elected people who don't even spend time on gaining simple knowledge.
We at INKISH tried to raise money for making a fact-based documentary on the environmental impact of the global Printing Industry. Unfortunately, we weren't able to raise the about $50.000 this film would cost - but we hope at some point somebody will for real document what's up and down. Consumers and voters don't have a chance to understand when even politicians are jeopardising their voters with feel-good politics rather than facts.
I am grateful that Grakom and other organisations take this fight and display the shameful politicians and their political scams!
Thu October 5th
Webinar: Wanneer is het...
Prindustry Online Kennissessie 14 november 2023
Tue February 21st
Countdown naar Sign & P...
DRIE DAGEN VOL INSPIRATIE EN ONTMOETINGEN
Sat February 4th
VIGC / BOPE goes ORANGE...
5e editie van het Benelux Online Print Event, platform voor iedereen die met online printen te maken heeft.
Fri December 23rd
GGZ Friesland standaard...
Inge Postma en Marco Kuipers automatiseerden de communicatieprocessen van GGZ Friesland met de Prindustry Brandportal.
Mon October 24th
BOPE23 - VIGC 2023 geli...
BOPE23 - VIGC 2023 gelijktijdig met Sign & Print Expo in Gorinchem (NL). Save the date.
Wed March 30th
Online Kennissessie: Br...
Prindustry webinar op 10 mei 2022 voor grafisch ondernemers. Naar een compleet communicatieproces voor je klanten, inclusief IT oplossing.
Wed December 22nd
Prindustry behaalt ISO ...
Prindustry heeft in 2021 hard gewerkt aan het binnenhalen van een mooi certificaat: de ISO 27001.
Mon October 25th
Kennissessie over white...
30 november live op het Prindustry kantoor
Fri October 15th
Tal van bewijzen van...
Wat de kranten zeggen-Week van 11 oktober-Door Nessan Cleary
Fri October 8th
Australië voelt nog ...
Wat de kranten zeggen-Week van 4 oktober-Door Nessan Cleary
Schrijf je in
Ontvang een melding om u in te schrijven op onze nieuwsbrief
Login
Nieuwe gebruiker? Meld je aan
Reset paswoord
Meld je aan
Bestaande gebruiker? Meld je hier aan
Meld je hier aan
Reset paswoord
Voer uw geregistreerde e-mailadres in. U ontvangt een link om uw wachtwoord opnieuw in te stellen via e-mail.
Nieuwe gebruiker? Meld je aan