Chequebook journalism

How it is used

The US spelling is checkbook journalism; distinguish payment to sources from normal fees paid to journalists.

Example sentences

1. The editor rejected chequebook journalism when the witness demanded payment for her account.

   The payment is sought by a source whose account would become evidence.

2. The panel debated whether chequebook journalism encourages people to exaggerate their stories.

   The phrase raises questions about incentives and the reliability of purchased material.

Common collocations

• practise chequebook journalism
• reject chequebook journalism
• chequebook journalism controversy

Related terms

• sourceA person, document or organisation that gives a journalist information for a story; also the place where a piece of information comes from.
• conflict of interestA situation in which a journalist's personal, financial or family interests could influence, or seem to influence, how they report a story.

More terms: Media Ethics and Law

• press freedom
• accuracy
• objectivity
• bias
• defamation
• libel
• sensationalism
• right of reply
• public interest
• source protection
• plagiarism
• pack journalism