Lobbying giant filmed offering reporter payment for flattering client coverage in national press
Summary
A British political lobbying firm called CT Group secretly offers journalists money to write positive articles about their clients. The firm suggested paying a reporter to write stories favorable to property industry clients without clearly showing these were paid pieces.Key Facts
- CT Group is a lobbying firm co-founded by Lynton Crosby, a campaign strategist linked to David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
- The firm told an undercover reporter they had paid journalists to publish favorable pieces in British newspapers.
- CT Group offered cash payments to journalists for stories supporting a property industry client and a property guardianship company.
- The aim was to influence public opinion without articles appearing as obvious advertisements.
- CT Group denied paying the undercover journalist or engaging him to write articles.
- The company has major clients like Airbus Defence and Space, Philip Morris, and the owner of Manchester City football club.
- The lobbying industry is under increased scrutiny over transparency and ethics.
- The investigation was conducted by The Guardian over more than four months.
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