Asas’ name is misleading, needs to change

I refer to the report “Pink Dot banner at Cineleisure to stay despite advertising watchdog’s call to remove tagline” (June 9, online).

The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (Asas) is often described as a “watchdog”, but is merely an advisory council of the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case).

The word “authority” in its name gives the false impression that it is a governmental body with legal powers, similar to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority or the Land Transport Authority.

It behoves Case, an organisation dedicated to “fair and ethical trade practices”, to rename Asas and remove the word “authority” to better represent the advisory nature of its function.