Please cant he mumsnet aficionados explain why we as members get to somewhat dictate the advertising

It's legal to advertise follow on milk, though, but MN choose not to, for ethical reasons.

See that's different - you're not choosing to not advertise - you can't. I didn't know that it was illegal to advertise it - how did I miss that one!!!! I have mixed feelings on it but that's for a different thread!!!

Countto10 it is illegal to advertise infant formula. I don't know if that makes you feel indignant. MN don't carry adverts for follow-on milk either, because it is widely acknowledged that these products have been developed to exploit the loophole which makes it possible to advertise formula milks for older babies.

Bolshy. Opinionated. Vocal.

It's fabulous.

Oh right for a minute there I thought it was simply cause of the bf vs ff debate and I was going to be quite indignant!! I think its good that companies are responsible regarding the businesses they deal with. Ethics play a big part in todays business world and so they should. Having said that though if you apply it to one you do need to ensure you're applying it across the board or there;s no point in the first place.

I think it's fantastic that MN care about what their community think, and take the time to canvass opinions. It's one of the things that makes MN so special - gives the members a real sense of belonging, of it being our site too.

What's wrong with having ethics and standing by them? Good for MN, I say.

Agree F&Z dh has a small husiness rebuilding / selling DJ things- he just amkes enough to cover DS1's therapy (which is the idea, he has a job too) but thats because he often chooses to give units free or at cost to people for use in charitable projects- he's just done that actually last week, and wwhy not? Tis a Good Thing to be in a place where you can make a difference, however small.

Why do people think that all businesses exist to make money in any way possible? I have a business but I would not choose to make money out of things that I found distasteful or contrary to my beliefs, or that would be distasteful to my customers.

With the Nestle it was because of the horrendous amrketing ploys they used (iirc) in third world countries, where Mums are told its safer to sue formula where actually, what with water pollution etc, it causes many many deaths.

Sorry - but why is formula advertising considered unacceptable?

I find it odd that some people find it odd to have an ethical stance (if that makes sense?) I think it is fabulous that MN are an ethical business and care about who they let advertise on their thread. Don't we all raise our children to be good, to do what is right? Well, it also matters that grown ups act ethically. Nestle are a widely boycotted company, because what they do is disgusting, and babies die because of their practices in developing countries.

Message withdrawn

and as peachy says, pc seems to have changed it's meaning to "whatever I disagree with". but I have ranted about that before.

lillymolly - if people were really that reasonable and that capable of making informed choices, why do companies spend so much money on advertising? and why does anyone buy ipods?

But wanting to be an ethical business means certain choices - and why would we not want Mumsnet owners to choose to be ethical?

They do it not solely because they want to avoid offending site users, but because they prefer to avoid taking money from people they regard as having poor ethical values.

I don't see anything wrong with that at all!

Just as someone would not enter into business with a factory farmer, and so avoids buying their chickens, Mumsnet Towers avoids entering into business with (among others) Nestle.

I honestly dont look and never have the sound on but David Gest did make me jump.

It is usually ds who notices!

Surely MN run (and take more than enough flack!) the site and get to choose? I personally support the ban on Nestle ads- in fact I thinks its an amazing thing for them to do.

What i don't get is poeple joining then questioning the site- surely if you join you take it the way it is?

PC doesn't automatically mean bad. Thats just a warped view. PC can mean rather excellent beliefs too- its used as such a catch all it has become utterly meaningless!

Lilymolly, how exactly is it PC?

Sherlock - Ah is that (Norton) why I don't see any of these ads? I was feeling quite left out, though I can still see the lunchables one - perhaps even a software package finds them indigestible?

I was amazed at this, when i cam across the Nestle debate the other day.
Surely the mn site is a public on and as such, everyone has differing ideas/morals etc, and are capable of making the choice wether to buy a product/service advertised.
I could not believe that MN have taken this decision, I thought it was a wind up of some sort.

as an example, I personlly don't buy factory farmed chicken, but would not give a toss if a Bernard Mathhews ad appeared! its ridiculous. polictical correctness imho