Ocean view from every room, even the basement

I was recently invited to be on FOX TV to discuss a couple of studies that examined how selective words in real estate ads could help a house sell faster, for more money, etc.
When I heard what the topic was, I resisted the temptation to be on the show, but relented when the producer promised it would not be too frivilous of a discussion (not sure it met that test; you be the judge below).
The segment was inspired by a LA Times story on the subject.
It is easy to be self-righteous about the importance of telling the truth in ads. More than just taking the moral high-cround, the risk of using exagerated or untruthful words is in losing the deal later once the buyer figures out the ads are BS -- not to mention truth in advertising laws.
William Shakespeare said, "Truth is truth, To the end of reckoning." Easy for him to say.
As journalists, we are always struggling to get at the truth and tell the truth. Indeed, if everyone was truthful, you would not need journalists.
Do not worry about high-unemployment in the news ranks, if this survey cited by blogger Martin Moore is right: "according to an audience of over 260 public relations executives, 138 voted against the motion in a PR Week sponsored debate that 'PR has a duty to tell the truth', vs 124 for.

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