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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Roy Greenslade

ASA censures three newspapers

The Advertising Standards Authority has censured three newspapers - the Daily Mail, the Sunday Telegraph and The Sun - for publishing reader offers it considered to be misleading.

A single complaint against the Mail for running a sales promotion that offered readers the chance "to enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea for two at some of the UK's leading hotels and restaurants - from just £5" was upheld. Evidently, the paper didn't print tokens every day as originally promised.

The Sunday Telegraph's offence concerned a front page blurb for free audiobooks. One reader thought it misleading. Another reader challenged the claim that the offer was "free" because customers who didn't live near a WH Smith store would have to pay £12.99 to receive the audiobooks by post.

The censure on the Sun came after a reader complained that its offer of a "free" USB wristband was inaccurate because it involved sending the paper a cheque for £2.99 or a "padded A4 self-addressed envelope per USB with £1.85 of stamps attached".

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