TV outlets should check truth of ad claims

Are local television outlets so starved for funds they will accept any kind of advertising? I have noticed some ads on various television outlets, broadcast, cable and satellite, whose information presented is dubious at best or contains outright lies.

The political entities that are getting these ads aired pay television outlets to broadcast these ads. Do the advertising departments of these various outlets just take the money and run and never view or check the ads for accuracy?

If I was the head of an advertising department for a television outlet, regardless if it is local or national, before accepting the money I would demand to view the ad and check its accuracy before accepting the money and airing the ad, especially political ads.

If the claims made in the ad turn out to be dubious or false, I would advise the people requesting the airtime that the claims made in their ad are false and that the outlet will not accept the money or air any ads whose claims cannot be verified as true.

Television, whether broadcast, cable or satellite, has a very large impact on how people view political candidates. I would think the television industry would use its responsibility to make sure that truthful claims are aired.

I challenge television outlets to accept the responsibility and make sure you are airing only ads that contain truthful information.

Terry Wehrman

Cedar Rapids