The business reporter is Suzanne Bearne.
Charlotte Gage wants the outdoor ads on billboards and bus stops to be taken down.
There is no consultation about what is shown on the ads. They cause light pollution and the ads are for things people don't need.
Adfree Cities is a UK pressure group that wants a complete ban on outdoor corporate advertising. The sides of buses and the London Underground would be covered by this.
It has happened in a few places around the world if you think this is a fanciful goal.
In 2006 the giant Brazilian city of Sao Paulo banned all outdoor advertising. More than 15,000 billboards were removed under the Clean City Law.
The city of Grenoble was the first to do so. "We don't want our city's children to be bombarded with animated advertising on TV screens in the street", said the assistant mayor at the time.
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, banned some outdoor advertisements for petrol and diesel-powered cars and air travel.
In March of this year, Bristol City Council banned outdoor advertisements for gambling firms, junk food, alcohol and payday loans, but only on the advertising spaces that it owns. Last year, the council voted in favor of the move.
While there are ethical issues with junk food ads, pay day loans and high-carbon products, people would rather see community ads and art rather than have multi-billion dollar companies putting logos and images everywhere
"We're not saying people shouldn't own cars or eat burgers, but we know there's a direct correlation between seeing ads and buying these products."
Resistance to sight pollution is growing in the UK. A network of eight community groups across the country are supported by Adfree Cities.
The outdoor advertising industry defends itself.
According to Tim Lumb, from the trade body Outsmart, adverts contribute a significant amount of money to the transport authorities.
Businesses have the right to advertise their wares in a free society, and individual citizens are not brainless automatons that Adfree Cities considers them to be.
Individuals make free and informed decisions about their spending choices and are safe in the knowledge that advertising in the UK is appropriately regulated to ensure it is legal, decent, honest and truthful.
According to the Advertising Association, all advertising plays a crucial role in brand competition, drives product innovation, and fuels economic growth.
Some anti-advertising groups have taken direct action, such as covering over billboards. Adblock Lambeth in London is one of the membership groups.
Brandalism is a group of activists. It particularly targets adverts promoting cars, airlines and energy firms, such as putting up fake billboard posters of cars stuck in traffic jams or changing legitimate posters to call for the banning of fossil fuels
Brandalism wants to question the legitimacy of corporate outdoor adverting and draw attention to the impact they can have on social issues, mental health, wellbeing, the climate, and the communication of public space.
New Economy explores how businesses, trade, economies and working life are changing quickly.
Ad hacking, altering commercial ads posters, and putting satirical ads over them are some of the tactics used by people. What we do is seen as a right of reply to corporate messaging. The public has a right to respond to those ads.
Mr Lumb says that Brandalism's approach is illegal and Vandalism. The reposting and repair costs of Brandalism run into thousands of pounds annually.
Some experts think that banning certain outdoor adverts may be a good idea.
Exposure to marketing for alcohol or food and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar is associated with consumption.
He points to the impact that Transport for London's ban on such ads has had on its entire network of trains, buses and trams. A study found that the policy prevented a lot of obese people.
Ms Gage said that they would rather see community arts, murals, local projects and renewed green spaces.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
