Publicity curbs unfair commercial practices

Joe Genovese wrote about an important issue with his letter Naming And Shaming Of Maltese Websites (October 20), a matter which The Consumer Association had a few days before raised in this newspaper (October 16). We would now like to add our voice to the opinion expressed by Mr Genovese.

The association firmly believes that once it is established that there are commercial websites which are giving misleading information to their customers, then these should be widely publicised. This is done in other countries. Why should Malta be any different?

It is not enough that regulatory measures are taken, penalising those who indulge in such misleading practices.

Prevention is better than cure and more important in our opinion is that adequate measures are taken to ensure that consumers are alerted to the actual sites and the businesses engaging in such practices. Experience has shown us time and again that one of the most effective tools in curbing unfair commercial practices is publicity in the media.

The association itself has on various occasions, after doing its verifications, published in the media instances of unfair practices. Unfortunately threats of lawsuits and withdrawal of paid advertisements in the media carrying our and similar columns have at times undermined our efforts.

Confronted with instances such as those referred to by Mr Genovese, the association reiterates the need to name and shame those who indulge in misleading or unfair practices to the detriment of consumers. We again urge the government - possibly within the context of changes such as the introduction of a consumer agency - to have in place measures to address such concerns.