"Underhanded Influence: Lobbying Firm's Secret Payments to Journalists Exposed A shocking investigation by The Guardian has uncovered a widespread practice of secret payments by a leading UK lobbying firm, CT Group, to journalists writing favourable pieces for British newspapers. Founded by Lynton Crosby, a veteran campaign strategist for Conservative leaders David Cameron and Boris Johnson, CT Group's tactics appear to blur the lines between independent journalism and corporate spin. According to sources, lobbyists for the firm have admitted to paying journalists to plant stories in major newspapers, effectively creating a backdoor for private companies to shape public opinion without being transparent about their influence. As the full extent of this practice comes to light, questions are being raised about the integrity of the UK's media landscape and the potential for undue influence on public discourse."
Exclusive: Guardian investigation of CT Group uncovers practice that appears to seek hidden influence over public opinionA political lobbying firm founded by the former electoral strategist for David Cameron and Boris Johnson secretly pays journalists to write pieces for British newspapers that are favourable to their clients, a Guardian investigation can reveal.In a practice that appears to create a backdoor for private companies to influence public opinion, lobbyists for CT Group – co-founded by the campaign strategist, Lynton Crosby – told an undercover reporter that they had paid journalists to place apparently independent stories in newspapers. Continue reading...
