Sponsors' inside access (seats on newspaper's advisory board) debated

http://www.madison.com/tct/business//index.php?ntid=32500&ntpid=0

Core sponsors of the Wisconsin State Journal's new business publication, the Capital Region Business Journal, will receive unusual access to the editors of the area's largest daily newspaper along with their advertising packages in the new publication, which begins publishing in April.

The guaranteed access to the editors of the new publication and the Wisconsin State Journal has raised questions about ensuring journalistic ethics among some observers.

Professor Jim Baughman, chair of the University of Wisconsin Journalism School, said the sponsorship arrangement "doesn't smell right to me. One wonders, where's the separation of church and state?"

At issue is the difference between two sponsorship packages sold to prominent local businesses. The elite package cost $20,000. The charter package cost $25,000 and includes appointment to the Business Journal's Advisory Board, which includes a guaranteed minimum of six meetings per year with key editors.

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i thought we formed governments to protect people and do justice, and that businesses, because they served the purpose of advancing the public welfare were licensed.

now all forms of public discourse are sold to the highest bidder and it apppears that the only reason for people is to be consumers of business products.

when did this start? SCOTUS 18880's(?)when corporations were given the rights of humans,

"...which includes a guaranteed minimum of six meetings per year with key editors."

Any arrangement which guarantees access is a quid pro quo arrangement....hence, a bribe.....

let's call it what it is....bribery........

...that's all this is, and it's sickening.