Do ads need to tell the truth?

To make a well-informed decision about a product or a service, you need accurate information, not information that’s misleading. All advertising has to be truthful, and not mislead consumers by lying—or bending the truth—about the product. It’s the law. Advertisers are supposed to follow the law in their ads.

Is there a law about truth in advertising?

When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence.

Are political ads legal?

Political advertising in a broad sense is not regulated by a special law and follows the general rules governing freedom of speech, freedom of information, and freedom of association.

What is considered a political ad?

Political advertising includes any advertising displays, newspaper ads, billboards, signs, brochures, articles, tabloids, flyers, letters, radio or television presentations, digital or social media advertising, or other means of mass communication, used for the purpose of appealing, directly or indirectly, for votes or …

Who is responsible for truth in advertising laws?

Consumers are protected by truth in advertising laws administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The commission has the authority to do everything from fining a company to pulling the ads. It’s different with political ads.

Is the truth irrelevant in a political ad?

Sure, neither of those claims (just two of the charges traded by the presidential nominees in dueling campaign commercials over the past few weeks) are actually — what’s the word? — true. But in the world of political advertising, truth is irrelevant.

Why are there more political ads on TV?

Listener Donna Savage Tyson from Concord, Mass., has noticed an uptick in political ads on TV in recent weeks, and it got her curious about a few things. She reached out to WGBH’s Curiosity Desk with a two-part question. “Why don’t Truth in Advertising laws apply to political ads?”

Do you have to be truthful in an ad?

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s laws, as outlined at their website: “When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence.