Ethics

The Other O.J. Defense

by Sheldon Rampton — December 9, 2008 - 9:02pm

When Forbes.com wrote last winter about the proper diet for preventing colds and the flu, the article included advice from nutritionist and former TV host Lisa Hark to drink orange juice. As Tom Avril points out, however, "vitamin C's value as a cold-fighter is unclear," and "Hark failed to mention" that she "was being paid by the Florida orange industry to promote the health benefits of its product." Hark says what she did was common practice.

Main Source: 
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 25, 2008

Drugmakers' Dollars, Doctors' Disclosure Disorders

by Sheldon Rampton — December 9, 2008 - 8:47pm

Doctors Frederick Goodwin and Joseph Biederman are counterattacking in an effort to defend their reputations following disclosures that they took millions of dolla

Main Source: 
BNET Pharma, December 8, 2008

Illinois Governor Arrested on Corruption Charges

by Anne Landman — December 9, 2008 - 12:55pm

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich after wiretaps showed he planned to sell or trade the open Senate seat left by

Main Source: 
CNN, December 9, 2008

UK Conservatives Want Lobbyists off the Public Payroll

by Bob Burton — December 9, 2008 - 12:50am

The Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC), the peak body for PR professionals and lobbyists in the UK, is horrified that the opposition Conservative Party is proposing that government agencies be banned from hiring lobbyists.

Main Source: 
PR Week (UK), December 3, 2008

Philip Morris a Civil Rights Victim?

by Anne Landman — December 5, 2008 - 2:52pm

Arguing an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Jesse Williams, a African American man who died of lung cancer after smoking Marlboros for 42 years, Philip Morris (PM) lawyers likened the company to a civil rights victim.

Main Source: 
Mother Jones, December 4, 2008

Another Sickening Partnership: The CEO of City of Hope Profits From Causing and Curing Disease

by Anne Landman — December 4, 2008 - 3:40pm
  • Topics: Ethics, Health, Tobacco

    • An earlier PRWatch blog exposed an unseemly partnership between the American Heart Association and Rite Aid Drug Stores after AHA teamed with Rite Aid to promote the "Go Red for Women" campaign to increase awareness of heart disease in women. AHA selected Rite Aid as its partner for "Go Red" even though Rite Aid sells cigarettes, a leading cause of heart disease. This bizarre alliance gave Rite Aid the ability to brag publicly that it was "taking a stand against heart disease in women" while simultaneously displaying "healthy heart" posters alongside cigarette displays in its stores across the country. In another unseemly alliance, it was revealed that Eugene Trani, the President of Virginia Commonwealth University, which operates a medical center, school of public health and medical school, was found to be accepting a $40,000 annual retainer, plus fees totaling $3,500 and stock options, for serving on the board of the Universal Corporation, a leading global supplier of tobacco leaf.

    Pure Science vs. Biopure

    by Sheldon Rampton — November 30, 2008 - 7:07pm

    Biopure, a company that makes blood substitutes, is suing scientist Charles Natanson for defamation after he published a critical review in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Nature magazine has condemned the lawsuit.

    Main Source: 
    Integrity in Science Watch, November 17, 2008

    Heart of Stone

    by Sheldon Rampton — November 25, 2008 - 2:42pm

    Even Republican dirty-tricks operator Roger J. Stone, Jr. now says he regrets helping elect George W. Bush president in 2000. Stone, who led the "Brooks Brothers riot" that disrupted the 2000 election recount in Florida, now says he is troubled by the Bush administration's trampling of civil liberties and the war in Iraq.

    Main Source: 
    The Daily Beast, November 20, 2008

    Journalists for Sale

    by Sheldon Rampton — November 25, 2008 - 9:49am

    "Dan Abrams, the chief legal correspondent for NBC News who recently lost his prime-time cable news show, is forming a consulting firm that he hopes will connect a global Rolodex of media experts with businesses that need strategic advice," reports Brian Stelter. "The firm, Abrams Research, may resemble a narrowly focused version of 'expert network' firms that connect investors to industry experts.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, November 18, 2008

    Good Money for Goodwin

    by Sheldon Rampton — November 22, 2008 - 10:19pm

    Psychiatrist Frederick K. Goodwin, who hosts a popular show on National Public Radio called "The Infinite Mind," earned "at least $1.3 million from 2000 to 2007 giving marketing lectures for drugmakers, income not mentioned on the program," reports Gardiner Harris.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, November 21, 2008
    Syndicate content