Support The Moscow Times!

Ad Agencies Adopt a Code Of Ethics

In the wake of President Boris Yeltsin's June decree on truth in advertising, the fledgling Association of Russian Advertising Agencies announced Monday that it had adopted its own code of ethics and a certification process intended to separate fly-by-night moneymakers from professional agencies.


"Anyone from the street can register an advertising company within one day. They can collect money for ads and take off to the Crimea," said Vladimir Yevstafyev, president of the Maximum agency, one of the association's 27 members. "The situation demands a certification process like this one," he said.


Starting Sept. 1, ad agencies may apply for certification to a committee of experts established by the association.


"The association is ready to take moral responsibility upon itself," said Vladimir Andreyev, the association's executive director.


Like Yeltsin's decree, which forbids promises of future returns for investment firms, the association's code includes a call to require clients to demonstrate their ability to follow through on promises. Member agencies are forbidden from accepting business from those companies that do not comply.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more