Investigative journalist Brian Ross of ABC’s 20/20 travels to San Francisco to confront Craig Newmark, the founder of the website Craigslist. Newmark has turned down Ross’s request for an interview so Ross ambushes Newmark in a parking lot. Craigslist is being accused of listing government recalled products on the website including the Bumbo baby seat which have been linked to a series of serious accidents among infants.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says Craigslist is “morally irresponsible” for its failure to block the sales of defective products under government recall. Amazon and eBay use filters to prevent recalled items from being posted – so why not Craigslist? That’s what 20/20 wants to know. When cornered by Ross, Newmark says he’s not in charge of management. He then makes a phone call — we assume to a lawyer — and then walks away. Who is responsible — the website or the seller?
