Let me pose a couple of hypothetical questions to you all .... Should a publisher accept advertisting for products that he knows are phony or worthless? Should the publisher be liable for claims against the product, if he knowingly advertised them? Does a publisher have an obligation to check out products before accepting advertisting for them?
Hypothetical; If a company advertised a product guaranteed to grow hair , increase the bosom and the product is a dud???? Yes, [hypothetically] the company and advertiser should be held liable. If a store advertises a product and the inventer/lic. owner has never done any research, and is using the public as guinea pigs the the seller must be held liable. Of course, we are talking hypothetically. note; is there a patent pending on the product? that is the first hint that maybe it hasn't been tested fully. I return things all the time. I expect anything to be what it says it is. Right now there are a lot of products on the market that do not stand up to their promise. I can remember all that crap that was advertised on the back of a comic book. My mother said, "That stuff doesn't work, they are just trying to make money." Ha, even mom knew a huckster.
I'm no, yes and yes. But who the fuck gives a damn as long as money is being made? There are no ethics in business!
Yes, certainly the company should be liable. It is very unethical. I know much about business ethics.
If you are asking whether the publisher is morally responsible, then yes he is. If you are asking whether you should sue, then no, you'll lose.
Interesting takes. Thanks to all for your opinions. No, this doesn't apply to anything involving me directly. But my questions were prompted by a website that frequently posts scathing attacks on the commercial media for its lack of ethics. However, the same website, with superb irony, also posts advertisements for products that are clearly worthless. As always, I guess, it's a case of buyer (and reader) beware.
:icon_bs: Business ethics certainly DO exist and, in many places, are still maintained and adhered to.
Can you give us a hint? Is it possible that anyone browsing here has visited the website you speak of? heh heh
Mphh ffhhgh gphhh. (Me trying to speak with my foot in my mouth). Apologies if I caused you any sadness.
I think that the company advertising should take the advertisement to keep a good business name. I wouldn't want to buy a magazine that sold fake products. The people creating the claim should be held responsible not the magazine that hosts their adds.
If I was the publisher, I wouldn't advertise it, if I knew it didn't work..... but that is just my code of ethics..... a lot of people would for the money
If our little roofing company didn't have a good ethical background and maintain it in our work--the results would show up pretty fast. In fact we (my boys) go above and beyond in their work and take care of situations un-asked for all the time without charging. I'm sure many/most other small companies do the same. You don't last long ripping people off. Unless you sell oil,cars,pharmaceuticals or political bullshit. In other words--the big boys. But yes--all companies should be held responsible and advertisers should research what they advertise and not back the bad products.
