The article discusses this distinction at length. While some advertising does exist to “inform other people about their product or service”, the author argues that most advertising today goes beyond this to sell things that are not needed or even wanted by the consumer before the ads are viewed.

I think the author’s discussion of regulation on public advertising is valid - there are probably ways we can conitnue to allow PSAs or allow ads for non-profits, social services, staple goods, etc while restricting the worst kinds of for-profit advertising that has taken over our cities and media.