The recent payments to principals in key American news stories have revived the debate about the ethics of organizations and newsmakers in business deals.
The New York Times has written an overview of the recent episodes of chequebook (or, to spell it as Americans do, checkbook) journalism --- payments to a woman who received text messages from congressman Anthony Weiner in one case, and a woman captive for 18 years in another --- while the Poynter Institute has written a critique of the situation. In both articles there is a certain sense of resignation about the practice.
Organizations indulging in these recent incidents have policies against paying for interviews, but they have asserted their payments were for such things as education, access to home movies, and other matters. In many media, payment for stories and access is common, but the practice isn't all that common among the larger, more traditional media.
What are your views on the subject?
The New York Times has written an overview of the recent episodes of chequebook (or, to spell it as Americans do, checkbook) journalism --- payments to a woman who received text messages from congressman Anthony Weiner in one case, and a woman captive for 18 years in another --- while the Poynter Institute has written a critique of the situation. In both articles there is a certain sense of resignation about the practice.
Organizations indulging in these recent incidents have policies against paying for interviews, but they have asserted their payments were for such things as education, access to home movies, and other matters. In many media, payment for stories and access is common, but the practice isn't all that common among the larger, more traditional media.
What are your views on the subject?
