The first test on an ad for Clayton Williams resulted in the candidate pulling the ad and changing it. Not everyone agrees that the truth boxes really have had any impact. Chimes said the truth boxes have not had any effect on races in which he has been involved. The subjective nature of truth boxes worries many journalists. Other papers resolved the dilemma by giving the ad reporter the editorial license of a movie critic or columnist.
Critics point out that political spots are paid advertisements.
I think it's comparing apples and oranges to compare elected officials to Sears Roebuck. Ted Glasser, a journalism ethics professor at Stanford University, said analyzing ads is consistent with the media's watchdog role. The press is supposed to be involved in reporting and commenting on public affairs. Political advertising is the quintessential form of public affairs these days, fortunately or unfortunately. Glasser is concerned the ad analysis being done doesn't go far enough.