Advert Scandals Uncovered

Prostitution rings and traffickers in human organs are among the criminals who place misleading advertisements in newspapers, the official paper Tishreen reported on June 17.



The adverts have been discovered as officials begin implementing a new consumer protection law, which among other things bans misleading, incorrect or exaggerated advertising.



In one recent case when the authorities discovered a network trafficking in human organs, they found it was trading through newspaper ads.



A prostitution ring was also found to be placing advertisements recruiting women to work ostensibly as secretaries, models or cosmetic saleswomen. Another group engaged in prostitution used advertisements for a youth chat hotline, the newspaper reported.



Tishreen reported other fraudulent advertising, such as for fictitious universities, fraudulent property traders, and fake treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It did not say which papers carried such ads.



Under legislation passed earlier in June, all advertisements must be screened and censored. Both the advertiser and the newspaper that publishes an offending item could be charged and face detention, a fine, or both. The publisher is required to ask for an official document validating the product that is being promoted.