Should The Answerbank Allow Political Advertising?

[AB Editor]

Afternoon all,

On another thread someone mentioned that they've seen a few UKIP ads on The AnswerBank.

And this brought up the question: Should The AnswerBank Allow Political Advertising?

Our default answer is "yes, why not?" - we don't directly endorse any advertiser that appear on the site (except the obvious ones... like the owls in motoring...), but we do ask that advertisers stick to the rules of the site.

Would you personally find it off-putting to see certain parties advertised on these pages?

[kvalidir]

Not a big fan of UKIP however those that will vote for them will vote for them anyway. I can't see them being able to recruit many ' dunnos' from here and there's always the silver lining for you having taken some money from them :) Doesn't really bother me, if people vote because they've seen a poster somewhere without further research then it's a sad thing and you won't save them ( or us) from themselves anyway.

[sandyRoe]

If you can get some of UKIP's gold into the AB coffers, go for it.

[dunnitall]

No not particularly, advertising is advertising as far as I'm concerned, it wouldn't bother me anymore than the other ads do.

[Buenchico]

The only problem I can see is that if you allow adverts from one political party you'll presumably have to allow adverts from all of them. Since the British National Party and the English Defence League (which are seen by many people as racist or even as neo-nazi) are both registered parties and field candidates in elections, you'd have to accept their adverts as well, which could prove to be unpopular with many ABers.

[2sp_]

I can't say it would bother me. I might buy a certain washing powder or loo roll after seeing ads, but my political opinions are a little more thought out.

[gness]

Can't see a reason not to, Ed....it's how we find out about them and who they are.... and as said....cash for AB.....x

[berniecuddles]

its your site ED whatever brings the money in go for it

[marval]

It wouldn't worry me.

[Canary42]

Political advertising ? NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

[woofgang]

sure, why not? take their cash. make sure they are the click through to talk to us kind so we can spam em!

[dunnitall]

Do you mean that canary?

[Baldric]

Frankly my dear!

[Gromit]

Yes it should allow political advertising.

I doubt anyone would be swayed by it. Every other bit of media allow it so this site should not be an acception.

Take the money and run...

[Slapshot]

As we are supposed to exist in a democracy it would be wrong to stop them I think. We each filter out ads that are of no interest to us anyway

[Zeuhl]

as long as it's 'legal, decent, honest and truthful'

then it's a free country and business is business

as you stated Ed, it's not like you are endorsing your advertisers.

[gness]

See Canary's sitting on the fence again.....☺

[Gromit]

Buenchico

The EDL is a protest group not a political party. It does not contest elections or field candidates.

[Bazile]

//See Canary's sitting on the fence again.....☺ //

Isn't that what birds do ?

[Buenchico]

>>>as long as it's 'legal, decent, honest and truthful'

Does ANY political manifesto ever actually meet those criteria????

[Sqad]

\\\\I doubt anyone would be swayed by it\\\

Then why would they want to be represented? Of course there would be subliminal persuasion.

Allow all parties or none at all.

I am unhappy with Political advertising (propaganda) on AB.