checkbook journalism

Frequency: 4.50.8 per million words

The practice of paying large sums of money for exclusive rights to a story, especially one from a person directly involved.

checkbookcheckbook + NOUN

Categories:

journalism

Examples (10)

  • Many critics argue that checkbook journalism undermines the integrity of the news.
  • The tabloid was accused of engaging in checkbook journalism to get the scandalous interview.
  • Ethical guidelines for most reputable news organizations strictly forbid checkbook journalism.
  • After the celebrity trial, bidding wars for exclusive stories led to a surge in checkbook journalism.
  • The witness's credibility was questioned due to the network's use of checkbook journalism.
  • The documentary explored the controversial history of checkbook journalism in modern media.
  • Is it ever justifiable for a media outlet to resort to checkbook journalism in the public interest?
  • Checkbook journalism often leads to sensationalized stories rather than factual reporting.
  • The editor-in-chief put a strict policy in place to prevent any form of checkbook journalism.
  • Paying a source for their story is a classic example of what is known as checkbook journalism.