Venable of counsel Jonathan Pompan was quoted in a June 27, 2011 AdAge.com article about ad vehicles that misrepresent themselves as objective news sources.
Commenting on whether legitimate news organizations that run these ads may be in violation of the FTC Act which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices, Mr. Pompan said, "publishers are expressly exempted from the criminal penalties against false and deceptive advertising under the FTC Act except in circumstances when there is refusal to cooperate with the FTC."
Commenting on whether legitimate news organizations that run these ads may be in violation of the FTC Act which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices, Mr. Pompan said, "publishers are expressly exempted from the criminal penalties against false and deceptive advertising under the FTC Act except in circumstances when there is refusal to cooperate with the FTC."