Current Ethical Issues in Internet Marketing
The Meaning of Ethics
and the Ethical Code
at Smoking Facts and Fiction
Current ethical issues in internet marketing require that website owners remain
transparent and open in disclosing financial interest or gain in product endorsements.
At the core of the meaning of ethics is the nature of the relationships we have and
how those relationships are conducted.
Since the internet is not a transparent place, all the relationships that affect the nature of the
content on a website may not be easily identified by you, the visitor.
The purpose of this section of the website is to disclose the nature of those relationships to
you so that you are fully aware and informed
when making decisions, or considering the veracity of information presented here.
Current Ethical Issues in Internet Marketing
endorsements - when a specific product/service is endorsed by a website as being good or the
best, you should consider the evidence being provided and
the nature of the relationship of the person endorsing the product and the provider of the product.
paid advertisements - when a company pays for space on the website to advertise a product or
service does this affect the nature of the information presented on the website and does the website owner get paid for any sales of those products?
Legal Issues in Internet Marketing
caveat emptor - the basic premise of this legal doctrine is that the buyer buys at his or her
own risk. It is your responsibility to make sure that products or services you purchase
suit your own needs and that you examine goods for defects prior to purchase. If you are purchasing
over the internet make sure you are aware of the vendor's return policy and whether of not they offer
guarantees and/or warranties for their products.
Current Ethical Issues in Internet Marketing
The Meaning of Ethics
The true meaning of ethics lies in the decisions and evaluations made about the "rightness or wrongness"
of actions in human relationships.
The most important and valued relationship that I have in running this website
is the one with you.
However SFF has other relationships that
are important to the operation of the website and that contribute to the quality of information
presented here for your benefit.
Those relationships include the vendors whose products are featured here as well as companies
who pay for advertising on this site.
One of the best ways to address the current ethical issues of veracity and transparency is in a
disclosure statement such as the one that follows.
This disclosure explains how the commercial enterprise at Smoking-Facts-and-Fiction is structured for
financial gain and how this might affect the nature of the information presented here.
Current Ethical Issues in Internet Marketing
The SFF Ethical Code and Disclosure
The SFF ethical code is based on transparency.
This is consistent with the moral principle of veracity which is more commonly understood to be "truth telling".
This policy is valid from July 18, 2010 and addresses some of the most common current ethical
issues in internet marketing such as paid advertisements, product endorsements, and ghost writing.
Content
The content on this website is personally written by me. I believe in honesty of relationship,
opinion and identity. I have clearly identified my background, education and the expertise
I bring to the topic.
Read more about Beverly Hansen OMalley (that's me!).
Paid Advertisements
From time to time advertisers may pay to have ads placed on this site.
My compensation for a paid advertisement comes from the payment for the ad and not from any sales
that result from your click through to the advertiser.
Any paid advertisements will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
Inclusion of a paid advertisement on this website does not imply endorsement of the product or
service of the advertiser.
Paid advertisers do not influence the content of this website as that is
solely under my control.
Compensation for Product Endorsements
This website is a commercial enterprise and is my own business.
I do receive financial compensation when you purchase products that are
featured on this website but I am not compensated to provide opinions on the products or
services offered for sale here. I seek out products that I think will be of value to my site
visitors and review them based on my established knowledge base about smoking, addictions, and health.
I also use information provided by the manufacturer. I have not necessarily used or
tested each product.
Product Claims
Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service is
received from the manufacturer or the provider of the product and this information
should be verified with them.
If you have experience with a product offered for sale on this website that
was not positive contact me
and let me know about your experience.
Third Party Advertisements
Compensation is also received from third party advertisements. Third party means that
Company A pays Company B to place ads on this site,
and I am paid directly by Company B not by Company A. I do screen these ads to make sure
that content is suitable for the website. These ads are clearly identified.
I try to screen all ads that are placed on the site so that only ads consistent with the site theme
are presented. But I do not have direct control over the ads placed by Company B.
I do have some control over the placement of ads after the fact, if I find them to be unsuitable
to the theme of the website.
If you see an ad on this site that is contrary to the interest of health promotion please let me
know. You can
contact me using this form. I will really appreciate your efforts.
Current Ethical Issues
My Personal Ethical Code of Conduct
The purpose of this website is simple. I want to be able to provide you with
information you need to make decisions that improve your health and the health of those around you.
The purpose of this website is not to provide counselling or therapy of any sort.
If you contact me for advice on how to quit smoking I will do the best I can to help you.
Privacy constitutes another one of the
many current ethical issues in internet marketing.
Please read the SFF privacy policy.
