Advertising | Reason Archives (original) (raw)

Wide angle view of the facade of the Berlaymont building, headquarters of the European Commission. | 	imageBROKER/Werner Lerooy/Newscom

European Union

European Commission Fines Meta for Serving Consumers

If advertisers don’t want to give data to Facebook Marketplace, they shouldn’t advertise on Facebook.

Jack Nicastro | 11.18.2024 12:30 PM

A pint glass with the Guiness logo, in a pub. | Magiorestock | Dreamstime.com

Alcohol

Brickbat: This Ban's for You

Charles Oliver | 9.24.2024 4:00 AM

Dried fruit in bowls | ID 184414061 © Kostyantine Pankin | Dreamstime.com

Nanny State

Cherries Are 'Unhealthy,' Says the Same Government That Once Pushed Low-Fat Pop-Tarts

The FDA’s latest nutrition rules target dried cherries and cranberries, putting small farmers at risk while offering zero benefits to consumers.

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 9.14.2024 7:00 AM

Google logo on smartphone resting on computer keyboard | Alvin Chan/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Google

Google Goes On Trial (Again) Today

Democrats' aggressive antitrust agenda threatens to upend Google's ad tech business—and make U.S. markets less free.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.9.2024 11:32 AM

GPS tracking map | Seamartini/Newscom

Surveillance

Here's How the CIA Plans To Use Your Ad Tracking Data

The intelligence community is admitting that info from data brokers is sensitive but isn’t accepting hard limits on how to use it.

Matthew Petti | 5.15.2024 10:10 AM

U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa | screenshot from U.S. Courts video

Sex Work

Judge Acquits Backpage Co-Founder Michael Lacey on Most Counts

The court found insufficient evidence to sustain 53 of 84 remaining counts against Lacey.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.25.2024 1:06 PM

Awning that hangs over the entrance of an English restaurant, reading FISH & CHIPS | Christopher Bellette | Dreamstime.com

Free Speech

Brickbat: There's Something Fishy Going On

Charles Oliver | 3.28.2024 4:00 AM

John Stossel holds a cellphone in front of an enlarged smart phone screen | Stossel TV

Privacy

Government Is Snooping on Your Phone

Many apps collect data that is then accessed by outside entities. Should you care?

John Stossel | 2.21.2024 12:30 AM

Protesters in Israel hold a poster of a young hostage with text that reads, "Bring Hersh Home." | Photo: Nancy Rommelmann

Israel

Dispatch From Israel: Inside the Hope Machine

Conversations with a coalition of Israelis who aren’t willing to wait for the government to get their loved ones back after October 7

Nancy Rommelmann | 1.22.2024 4:00 PM

Toyota Hilux truck on a dirt road. | Engdao Wichitpunya | Dreamstime.com

Advertising

Brickbat: Off Road, Off Limits

Charles Oliver | 12.5.2023 4:00 AM

An airport moving sidewalk with a blank advertisement space next to it. | Anusorn Abthaisong | Dreamstime.com

Guns

Poised To Lose Battle Over Gun Ads, City Bans All Advertising But Its Own

Flagstaff keeps digging a hole over commercial free speech.

J.D. Tuccille | 11.29.2023 7:00 AM

Marijuana billboard with red lines over it | Illustration: Lex Villena; Paul Hennessy/Polaris/Newscom

First Amendment

Clarence Cocroft filed a lawsuit this week challenging the state's virtual ban on advertising medical marijuana businesses, arguing the law violates his First Amendment rights.

Emma Camp | 11.15.2023 4:22 PM

Busy airport | Photo: Andrik Langfield/Unsplash

First Amendment

This City Wants To Ban Gun Ads at the Airport

Commercial speech enjoys First Amendment protections, whether politicians like it or not.

J.D. Tuccille | 11.3.2023 7:00 AM

A baby girl with a stuffed animal drinks milk from a bottle. | Vitmark | Dreamstime.com

Advertising

Brickbat: A Serious Drinking Problem

Charles Oliver | 8.30.2023 4:00 AM

TikTok ads | TikTok; Illustration: Lex Villena

Republican Party

TikTok Woos Republicans With Debate Commercials

The video site took out ads touting social media's benefits.

Emma Camp | 8.24.2023 3:24 PM

Someone watching a dance video on TikTok on their cellphone | Remko de Waal/ANP/Newscom

TikTok

Plus: Police sue Afroman for using footage from raid, California bill could ban popular junk foods, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.23.2023 9:46 AM

The government should not be determining the best way to help kids and teens use the internet. | Photo 97482036 © Antonio Guillem | Dreamstime.com

Teenagers

Biden's Foolish Rush To Regulate How Kids Use Tech

Instead of empowering the government to intervene, we should look more holistically at the experience of young people online.

Jennifer Huddleston | 2.9.2023 12:15 PM

Google logo and stick figure people | Jakub Porzycki/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Reason Roundup

DOJ Antitrust Suit Seeks To End Google Ad Dominance. The Market Is Already Taking Care of That.

Plus: Journalism versus qualified immunity, Mississippi bill would end civil asset forfeiture, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 1.25.2023 9:40 AM

Downtown Phoenix superbowl party |  Danny Raustadt/Dreamstime.com

First Amendment

Phoenix Sued After Giving the NFL Power To Censor Signs on Private Property

The city is banning temporary signs that don't have the NFL's approval in a downtown "clean zone."

Christian Britschgi | 1.13.2023 4:40 PM

Downtown Phoenix superbowl party |  Danny Raustadt/Dreamstime.com

First Amendment

Phoenix and the NFL Are Censoring Small Business Owners' Signs

Property owners are required to get permission from the city, the NFL, and/or the private Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee before displaying temporary advertisements and signs.

Christian Britschgi | 12.16.2022 3:20 PM

Prison guard | Motortion / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Banned in Britain

Charles Oliver | 11.14.2022 4:00 AM

Biden speaks in favor of the DISCLOSE act | Ron Sachs - Pool via CNP/picture alliance / Consolidated News Photos/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Biden-Backed DISCLOSE Act Would Dox Donors to Groups That Run Political Ads

Plus: Student drag shows are protected speech, a bank CEO rebuffs Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.22.2022 9:54 AM

Man grilling meat | Stockcreations / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: It's What's for Dinner

Charles Oliver | 9.21.2022 4:00 AM

triple Xs over the Constitution | Illustration: Lex Villena; Elena Garder | Dreamstime.com

First Amendment

There's No Way FOSTA Isn't a First Amendment Violation, Says Lawsuit

The case is now on appeal after a lower court said the ban on websites promoting prostitution didn't concern protected speech.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.16.2022 8:16 AM

U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss | EyePress News/EYEPRESS/Newscom

Food Freedom

U.K.'s New Prime Minister Targets Country's Aggressive Food Nannies

Liz Truss seeks to possibly end ill-advised bans on advertising and special deals on foods experts deem “unhealthy.”

Scott Shackford | 9.14.2022 3:05 PM

Billboard against an orange background that reads, "Speech about abortion is free speech. -The First Amendment" | Courtesy of FIRE

Free Speech

South Carolina Targets Free Speech in Its Attempt To Limit Abortion Access

Billboards remind state residents that controversial speech enjoys First Amendment protection.

J.D. Tuccille | 8.19.2022 7:00 AM

Teens in a shooting competition | Anna Krivitskaia / Dreamstime.com

Gun Control

Desperate California Anti-Gunners Wreck Junior Shooter Clubs

Lawmakers claimed they were just banning marketing guns to kids.

J.D. Tuccille | 8.5.2022 7:00 AM

remote control pointed at screen with Hulu logo on it | Rafael Henrique/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Reason Roundup

After 'Censorship' Claims, Hulu Will Air Democrats' Abortion and Gun Ads

Plus: DeSantis threatens Miami restaurant over drag performances, Hawley blasts Amazon acquisition that might lower health care prices, and more…

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.29.2022 9:35 AM

Hulu Democrats censorship | Illustration: Lex Villena; Rawpixelimages

Disney

Democrats Say Hulu Has Censored 'the Truth.' Hulu Says It's Within Its Rights To Refuse Political Ads.

The streaming platform has said gun- and abortion-related ads submitted by Democrats are too controversial to be aired.

Liz Wolfe | 7.27.2022 7:30 AM

reason-transit | Benoit Daoust/Dreamstime.com

Public transportation

Do You Have a Right To Run Subway Ads Criticizing High Subway Fares?

A rider advocacy group says the Montreal's transit agency violated its free speech rights by refusing to run ads critical of recent fare hikes.

Christian Britschgi | 7.26.2022 1:00 PM

Drawing of a hand holding a purple scroll of the Declaration of Independence | Illustration: Lex Villena; Valuavitaly | Dreamstime.com

Free Speech

Abortion Bans Bring First Amendment Battles, Too

Looking back at how abortion advertising bans played out last century may give us some idea what the future holds for speech about abortion.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 6.23.2022 7:00 AM

a crisis pregnancy center sign in mississippi advertises counseling and non-medical services | ohnstone, Symons, PacificCoastNews/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Senators Want To Control Google Search Results About Abortion

Plus: Uvalde cops didn't check classroom door, Texas GOP slides further to the right, telemedicine deregulation in peril, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 6.20.2022 9:35 AM

Cartons of almond milk at a grocery store | Roman Tiraspolsky / Dreamstime.com

FDA

Do We Really Need the Federal Government To Tell Us What Milk Is?

Everybody knows what almond, oat, and soy milk are. We don’t need the FDA’s intervention, no matter what the dairy lobby claims.

Scott Shackford | 6.6.2022 2:20 PM

cannabis-vapes-Elsa-Olofsson-Flickr | Elsa Olofsson/Flickr

Marijuana

Teenagers Who Use Marijuana Are Shifting From Smoking to Vaping. Should We Be Alarmed?

The overall prevalence of cannabis consumption among adolescents rose between 2017 and 2019 but has fallen since then.

Jacob Sullum | 5.20.2022 2:45 PM

cereal_1161x653 | KKfotostock / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Flaky Behavior

Charles Oliver | 1.20.2022 4:00 AM

cars_1161x653 | Izabog / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Take a Hike

Charles Oliver | 1.14.2022 4:00 AM

thumbnail 2 | Screenshot from Youtube; illustration by Lex Villena

Soviet Union

That Time Mikhail Gorbachev Appeared in a Pizza Hut Commercial

There may not be a more striking metaphor for capitalism's victory over the Soviet Union than a 60-second Pizza Hut ad that originally aired more than 20 years ago.

Eric Boehm | 11.26.2021 9:00 AM

Screen Shot 2021-09-08 at 10.28.40 AM | Background: Reason; overlay: screenshot, Backpage.com

Backpage

Backpage Defense Lawyers Call for Mistrial After 'Inflammatory' Opening Statements

The defendants are not on trial for child sex trafficking, yet prosecutor Reggie Jones wouldn't stop talking about it.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.8.2021 11:45 AM

retouched_1161x653 | Wiracha Unmattaaree / Dreamstime.com

Brickbats

Brickbat: Bad Influence

Charles Oliver | 7.9.2021 4:00 AM

BoJo | Jonathan Buckmaster/Daily Expres/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Food Freedom

Boris Johnson's Britain Leans Into Nanny State Food Policies

New marketing restrictions on junk food will affect bottom lines, not waist lines.

Baylen Linnekin | 7.3.2021 8:30 AM

31 | Yui Mok/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Cancel Culture

GB News Stands Up to U.K. Cancel Culture and Wins

Advertisers found that appeasing an illiberal mob wasn’t a safe choice after all.

J.D. Tuccille | 6.23.2021 7:00 AM

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 7.33.11 AM | Consumers' Research ad screenshot

Reason Roundup

New Campaign Against 'Woke Companies' Slams Them for Not Being Woke Enough

Plus: DOJ ditches bid to unmask Devin Nunes parody account, a fight for food truck freedom in Florida, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.19.2021 9:39 AM

1402181_569686799746259_686648021_o(1) | AG Brnovich/Facebook

Reason Roundup

Backpage Judge Accused of Bias Will Remain on Case

Plus: Effort to decriminalize psychedelics gains traction in California, crony capitalism at its worst, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.7.2021 9:45 AM

FacebookAustralia_1160x653_1161x653 | Facebook

Facebook

Everybody's Wrong About the Facebook/Murdoch Standoff in Australia

This tech/media fight down under is not about democracy or monopolies. It’s about ad revenue.

Scott Shackford | 2.18.2021 1:30 PM

Screen Shot 2020-10-30 at 8.24.51 AM(1) | screenshot from Arizona AG's human trafficking booklet

Backpage

Judge Whose A.G. Spouse Bashes Backpage Won't Recuse Herself From Backpage Trial

Judge Susan Brnovich said no reasonable person would question her impartiality just because her husband already says they're guilty.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.30.2020 12:00 PM

sutherland | Penguin UK

Capitalism

Rory Sutherland on How Red Bull Explains Why Capitalism Is Great

The Ogilvy ad man and Alchemy author says Ludwig von Mises is his hero and that efficiency has nothing to do with free markets.

Nick Gillespie | 6.10.2020 3:53 PM

8063144_thumbnail | Lex Villena

Austrian economics

Red Bull Is Disgusting. And It Perfectly Captures Why Capitalism Is So Great.

Ludwig von Mises is “my hero,” and free markets have nothing to do with efficiency, says Ogilvy ad man Rory Sutherland.

Nick Gillespie | 5.19.2020 2:05 PM

newsstand_1161x653 | picture alliance / Daniel Kalker/Newscom

Coronavirus

U.K. Media Lobby Wants Government To Force Advertisers to Support Coronavirus Coverage

Desperate for revenue, online outlets try to use a crisis to overrule their customers’ judgment.

Scott Shackford | 4.9.2020 2:20 PM

More