Public Brodcaster journalist 1k paid reviews - Legal/Ethical

ForestFire

So I my company, and most businesses I would guess today, there are strict rules around gifts, brides and any unethical practices.

(I think I might be allow accept a suppliers branded pen/mug/calendar these days without issues)

So with this in mind, how is the likes of RTE (State broadcaster) and their paid staff/freelancers, allowed to accept huge sums of "gifts" for their work, for both them and their families, such as this case where he/they got almost a 1K "gift" for a 2 night stay and article? (Acredit that at least he does clearly state this more than once in the article)

https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2021/0826/1243035-staycation-review-digital-dad-visits-loughcrew-estate/

Is this Legal? (Probably I guess)

Is it Ethical? (Even if freelance, RTE have paid him for this article from public money?)

Can this type of review ever be unbiased when you've got 1K free value towards it?

Who is the review even aimed at that can afford 1K for 2 Nights, anyway!!

Is this really in the State broadcasters public interest content?

I know there is also huge areas of online paid review on Youtube etc, and while these are still suspect (In my opinion), and I think there is a requirement now, that need to be clearly marked as such, and they are generally not from public money).

hierro

He's not a "journalist" per se but occupies a "Senior" position in the organisation.

Public broadcasting is sponsored by business in this country at all levels, if strict, the funding model would have to be redrawn. There's a thread on boards discussing the fact the sports "news" should be separated from the actual news with points raised, which have some merit.

How much Digital Dad has been paid would be an interesting FOI. Anyone care to submit it.

Not a legal topic either, I suggest. Probably more at home on a media forum.

Peregrinus

It's not uncommon for those selling goods or services to provide free product for reviews. Book reviewers, for example, do not pay for the books they review; the publishers send free copies for review. (Yes, the reviewers get to keep the books afterwards.)

This is basically the same thing. If Lough Crew Estate and Gardens wants reviews published of what it is like to stay at their gaff, they have to invite reviewers to stay there so that the reviewers can then write about it based on actual experience. It's not illegal. It's pretty well essential for high-end gigs like this; journalists mostly do not earn enough to drop thousands on a weekend away, and if they do manage it for a special occasion they're going to treat it as a break, not a work assignment.

Pretty well any travel/lifestyle journalism that you read which consists of a review of some tour/venue/service/whatever will have been written on this basis. The journalistic ethical principle is that the fact that the services have been provided for free must be stated in the review.

The one exception is restaurant reviews where, commonly but not always, the reviewer visits the restaurant anonymously and pays for his meal, in an attempt to ensure that he gets the same experience as any diner might, and not special treatment. (But as many restaurant reviewers are themselves well-known figures, at least in the industry, this doesn't always work.)

ForestFire

Firstly, I am just talking about this practice in general terms and I have just used Digital Dad as an example.

Just a few points from you mail Peregrinus.

1) "Book Reviews"

• Books are worth what, 10-20 Euro and getting it free is unlikely to sway any real bias for this type of sum.

2) "journalists mostly do not earn enough to drop thousands on a weekend away, and if they do manage it for a special occasion they're going to treat it as a break, not a work assignment."

• This would make the Gift even more problematic, if the reviewer could not normally afford it? (Not sure who does)
• Was it a work assignment though really? He brought his kids and family, and the whole point is to judge how good a break it is. Yes he has to write up a report after the break itself, but during the break he is there to experience it in full.

3) " in an attempt to ensure that he gets the same experience as any diner might, and not special treatment. "

But when you get a 1K holiday for free, and the establishment know your there to write a review, this will not be the case? I sure this family and this Visit got only the best of the best of treatments when they were there, especially this time, as they seemed to have the place to themselves.

Again not having a go a Digital Dad, but I think these types of reviews offer very little in the way of real "hard earned" experiences for the general public, and not sure if RTE should be facilitating such?

I do follow tech reviews online, and I have noted some reviews have stopped getting review samples based on previous reviews. And some reviewers and not willing to compromise on this and will actually go after companies if required...see example below if interested...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xts3pvbcFos

Peregrinus

You're quite right that the reviewer getting a freebie can't assume he gets the same experience as any other punter; the hotelier knows that he is there to write a review so naturally is going to make special efforts. And I think you have to read the review with that in mind.

But the reality is that that may be the only way a review of any kind is going to get written. A newspaper or broadcaster may have a budget to pay a hundred euro or so for a meal for an anonymous reviewer and companion, but not to pay many thousands for a luxury holiday for an anonymous reviewer and family. So, from the business operator's point of view, either they provide free service or they don't get reviewed. And, from your point of view, either you read reviews of freebies provided the hotel/resort/airline/tour operator or you read no reviews of these services. And there is ample evidence that people do like to read reviews of this kind; that's why the travel/lifestyle supplement exists.

This is the business model. It's flawed, but it's viable.

There is an alternative business model in the UK (and no doubt elsewhere) in which anonymous reviewers review products and services which have been bought in the ordinary way - the product/service provider has no idea that he is being reviewed until afterwards. It's called Which? magazine, and it's published by the Consumers Association. It used to be a print publication, but I think now it might be exclusively online. The whole thing is funded by reader's subscriptions and, unsurprisingly, it costs a bit more than a daily newspaper. I don't think the Irish market would be large enough to support a similar operation reviewing goods and services supplied in the Irish market.

whippet

OP you have made a couple of references to the cost of the weekend and 'who could afford this' .... I think this is very relevant to your opinion on the matter. Plenty of people can afford this - €500 a night for a family of 4 is about going rate for a decent place in ireland.

As has been pointed out reviews happen and as long as reviewers are honest about who paid for the trip I have no issue - but then again I don't take too much stock in these type of reviews

wildwillow

OP, Seven people would have paid less than 1K for two nights in an apartment, the cost included cleaning fee. I know that the cost would have been the same for fewer people, but it is good value.

The review seemed honest and didn't oversell the venue. He is very clear that it was a promotion piece. He is freelance and allowed to make his money however he can.

Lots of publications feature articles by celebrities and they are branded as Promotions. One makes a decision based on the review but with an understanding that it may be biased. But a business cannot suddenly give A rated service unless it is basically well managed and well run. There may be small glitches during the ordinary visit, but these will be usually sorted when brought to attention.

No person is going to praise the substandard, no matter the incentive. It undermines their credibility.

I have never heard of the venue mentioned but it was nice to have it brought to my attention by your post!!! I would consider it for a family get together, so, thanks.

ahnowbrowncow

OP, wait until you find out about influencers, they often don't disclose when they receive products for free

ForestFire

As I've said I have nothing against Digital Dad and this Venue, and hope anyone going enjoys their stay.

Again my post is just a light-hearted look into the practice. Maybe legal forum is not the right area, but will continue the discussion for now.

The reason I mention the cost is because 1k gift is quite a lot. We went for 4 nights away in Clifden for about 700 euro, but that's 700 out of our savings (2 adults and child, but last year we rented a cottage for about the same price that can sleep 7). 1k for 2 nights just seems a bit high for 2 nights, but I guess more people went.

And while freelances are free, there is the accosiation with RTE and public funds paying for articles like this.

Influencers, yes won't even know where to find them or follow them I'd say....the official type at least.

But another thing I could never understand is was Messi (and many others), would promote a certain fizzy drinks* for example.

They have huge influence on kids (if not an influencers by trade), are elite sports people who probable don't touch the stuff, and don't need the money (maybe that's only now since anonymous company* paid them)

Would they not be better off working on promoting healthy eating and lifestyle in their positions.

* I didn't mention Pepsi in order to avoid further promotional material for them on my time for free ;-) .....dam it I've said it now....anyway I much preferred coke cola, before giving up soft drinks... :-)

Also another video popped up on YouTube just now, kind of related to this, if you interested (another tech channel), on big media influence on reviewers from tech companies.

https://youtu.be/9V0lXIK9DZQ

afatbollix

As long as they say they got the product for free it's legal.

#ad is on a lot of Instagram posts now. In fact if you post a line of 'thanks to .... for this product' Instagram recommends you add a #ad.

You know that a lot of newspaper articles are the same thing? Joe.ie and all those websites make it look like news but it's really a paid article for the product they are talking about.

Marketings is more than just TV these days. My wife has been asked to promote things on Instagram as our kid has bright striking red hair but only 500 followers yet they were willing to send clothes for the kid if we posted it online.