Concerns Raised Over Potential Conflict of Interest at Fed-funded NewsGuard

By | November 27, 2023

“Fed-funded NewsGuard: Blacklisting News Outlets for COVID Misinformation, Tied to Pfizer”

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Title: NewsGuard’s Funding Raises Questions About Impartiality and Conflict of Interest

Date: November 28, 2023

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In a recent tweet, investigative journalist Paul Sperry revealed that NewsGuard, a media rating organization funded by the Federal government, is financially supported by Publicis Groupe, a global advertising and communications company. The revelation raises concerns about the impartiality of NewsGuard’s blacklisting and demonetization of news outlets for spreading “COVID myths” and “anti-vaccine misinformation.”

NewsGuard has been at the forefront of combating misinformation and providing users with trustworthy news sources. Their website states that they employ a team of journalists who review and rate news websites based on nine criteria related to credibility and transparency. However, the discovery of their financial ties to Publicis Groupe, which represents COVID vaccine maker Pfizer, has led to questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Publicis Groupe, a multinational advertising conglomerate, represents various clients in the pharmaceutical industry, including Pfizer. The revelation that NewsGuard is bankrolled by Publicis Groupe raises concerns about potential bias in their assessment of news outlets, particularly those that criticize or question the safety or efficacy of COVID vaccines.

Furthermore, the tweet highlighted that NewsGuard is run by General Manager Matt Skibinski, whose father has allegedly been employed by Pfizer for the past 20 years. While personal connections do not necessarily indicate biased decision-making, it does further raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the organization’s leadership.

Critics argue that the funding and ties to Publicis Groupe and Pfizer could compromise NewsGuard’s objectivity and its ability to fairly evaluate news outlets. The fear is that the organization may be influenced to favor news sources that align with the interests of their funders, potentially suppressing alternative viewpoints and hindering freedom of the press.

In response to these allegations, NewsGuard has yet to issue an official statement. However, they have previously emphasized their commitment to transparency and independence in their rating process, claiming that they do not allow advertising or sponsorship to influence their assessments.

The revelation of NewsGuard’s financial ties raises important questions about the credibility and impartiality of media rating organizations. As society continues to grapple with the challenges of misinformation, it is crucial that such organizations maintain transparency and independence to ensure the public receives accurate and unbiased information.

Moving forward, it remains to be seen how NewsGuard will address these concerns and whether they will take steps to reaffirm their commitment to impartiality and transparency. The media landscape is evolving rapidly, and it is essential for organizations like NewsGuard to adapt and maintain public trust in their work..

Source

@paulsperry_ said BREAKING: Fed-funded NewsGuard, which blacklists & demonetizes news outlets for "COVID myths" & "anti vaccine misinformation," is bankrolled by Publicis Groupe, which reps COVID vax maker Pfizer, and run by gen manager Matt Skibinski, whose father has worked for Pfizer for 20 yrs

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