As a small (micro - 5,000 copies a month) niche newspaper publisher, I've been very lucky with my advertisers paying their bills over the years. However, last year, I had to suspend my backpage advertiser for not paying his bill - for the past twelve months. I let his ad continue that long unpaid, because we had a long history - nine or ten years of infrequent, but eventually paid up accounts.

During the last six months of running his ad, I began calling his office and talking to him about the outstanding balance due. Each time he promises something will be in the mail, or one thing or another.

Another year has past - we still call - he or his office continues to evade.

Today, I had an idea.

I would like to contact him again and tell him that I am going to give him some free advertising. It will feature an a "(debtor's name)-O-Meter". It will display how much is owed to the newspaper by this debtor, how long the amount has been owed, and any payments that may have been made (zero) toward the balance due.

I'd reassure him of at least a quarter page, more if available and if my current back page advertiser should fold, he can have his old space back!

This person owes us the money. He has been contacted over and over and over again - now over the span of two years. He is actively conducting regular business.

Question (finally!): What are my liabilities if I go ahead and publish the "(debtor's name)-O-Meter ad?

 Thank you!