Three journalists listed as AHIP speakers, then disappear from website following Kos diary

[babylonsister]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200707260002

UPDATED: Three journalists listed as AHIP speakers, then disappear from website following Kos diary

UPDATE: Following this item's publication, Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) issued a statement on July 27 saying that the three journalists referenced in this item -- Robert Bazell and Nancy Snyderman of NBC News and Susan Dentzer of PBS' NewsHour -- say that "AHIP and/or the Leading Authorities Speakers Bureau added them to" the AHIP Health Care Speakers Network "without their approval and without their knowledge."

All three journalists remain listed on Leading Authorities' website. According to Leading Authorities, Bazell charges speaking fees of up to $20,000 and Snyderman charges fees of up to $50,000. Leading Authorities instructs readers to "inquire" about Dentzer's fees.

***

A July 23 Daily Kos diary by "nyceve" noted that three medical correspondents -- Robert Bazell and Nancy Snyderman of NBC News and Susan Dentzer of PBS' NewsHour -- "all participate on the AHIP Speakers Network." AHIP describes itself as "the voice of America's health insurers" and "the national association representing nearly 1,300 member companies providing health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans." Its board of directors consists mainly of insurance-company executives. A July 25 Roll Call article (subscription required) described AHIP as "the lobbying group for the health insurance industry." The Daily Kos diary also noted that none of the bios for the three journalists on the websites of NBC or PBS disclosed the journalists' roles with the AHIP Speakers Network. Each of the reporters was, indeed, listed on AHIP's website as part of its speakers network, but all three names have since been removed from the list.

The diary highlighting Bazell's and Snyderman's ties to AHIP was posted on Daily Kos less than a week after Media Matters for America noted that their colleague Jim Miklaszewski, NBC chief Pentagon correspondent, reportedly took $30,000 from the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce to address its Business EXPO 2007. During his talk, Miklaszewski reportedly attacked Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, calling him a "loser."

snip//

Despite the removal of their names from the list of speakers, the bios for Bazell, Snyderman, and Dentzer remained on the site. Media Matters obtained the still-active links for all three bios using the Internet Archive. Bazell's bio provides a phone number to call for more information in booking him for an event; Snyderman's page says her fee range is between $30,001 and $50,000; and Dentzer's says people should inquire about her fee range. Each bio page advises customers to get an "exact quote" for a speaking fee from Leading Authorities Inc. , a speakers bureau that entered into a joint venture with AHIP called the Health Care Speakers network, according to the AHIP website. LAI says that its "mission is to help organizations create powerful meeting experiences and messages using world class talent, entertainment and creative media." According to LAI, its "core business is its speakers bureau, which serves blue-chip associations, companies and universities." LAI lists numerous journalists among its speakers.

more...

http://mediamatters.org/items/200707260002

[blondeatlast]

1. From the Society of Professional Journalists" Code of Ethics

Lots more where this came from.

Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.

Journalists should:

—Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

http://www.spj.org/ethics.asp

Congratulations go out to Bazell, Snyderman, and Dentzer--you missed every cylinder.

:puke:

[annabanana]

2. If more people were aware of the degree of complicity, there

would be pitchforks & torches in the streets.

[peacetalksforall]

5. In one butterfly wing flap they will announce that they are not journalists,

but commentators a la Cheney switcharoos.

NOTE: All are working for war mongering corporate profiteers. Their contract must allow making extra speaking fees and pimping. Therefore, perhaps their employers might also finally announced that they are not journalistic, but pimps.

Can you tell that I don't respect any of those corporations and their Republican pushing commentators - with one exception?

[Wednesdays]

6. OMG...wow

just wow.

[barbtries]

3. i am so tired of

all the greedy whores

[pberq]

4. thanks, babylonsister - how much more of this do you suppose is going on?