PRESS RELEASE
AMERICAN BUSINESS MEDIA REAFFIRMS STAND ON AD/EDIT ETHICS
NEW YORK May 25, 2005 – In light of the recent struggles to maintain clear lines of distinction in advertiser and editorial relationships, American Business Media encourages its member companies and their 4,500-plus print and electronic titles, to maintain the highest ethical standards and journalistic integrity.
“The cornerstone of editorial integrity and credibility is the ability of media to make content decisions based on mission and the needs of the reader, and to make these decisions without undo influence from outside interests such as advertisers,” said Gordon T. Hughes II, president and CEO of American Business Media. “Overtures or threats made by advertisers to pull ads with intent to steer content, or advertiser requests to review content prior to publication, undermine universal journalistic ethical standards.”
As a guide for editorial integrity, Hughes points to the clear tenets on advertiser and editorial relationships outlined in American Business Media’s Editorial Code of Ethics, released March 2005.
Section II-5. Relationship with Advertisers
a. Selection of editorial topics, treatment of issues, interpretation and other editorial decisions must not be determined by advertisers, advertising agencies or the advertising departments of publications.
b. Editors must never permit advertisers to review articles prior to publication.
c. Advertisers and potential advertisers must never receive favorable editorial treatment because of their economic value to the publication. Similarly, non-advertisers should not receive unfavorable editorial treatment or be excluded from articles because they do not advertise. This provision applies not only to stories and articles but to all products of the editorial group, including lists, rankings, product or company of the year awards and other such special features and events.
The complete ABM Editorial Code of Ethics is available for download on ABM’s Web site, http://www.americanbusinessmedia.com/images/abm/pdfs/committees/EdEthics.pdf.
About American Business Media
Founded in 1906, American Business Media is the association for business-to-business information providers representing producers of more than 2,000 print publications,
2,500 Web sites, 850 trade shows, and other media. Its 250-plus member companies reach an audience of more than 90 million professionals and represent about $20 billion in industry revenues.
For more information contact:
Steve Ennen, Director of Communications
American Business Media
212-661-6360 ext. 3331
s.ennen@abmmail.com