Should the press be paying for sleazy Anthony Weiner photos?
News outlets have shelled out thousands of dollars in "licensing fees" for racy Weiner pics, provoking terse admonitions from media critics

Ann Coulter wasn't trying to be literal when she congratulated ABC News for "owning" the Anthony Weiner lewd-tweeting story, says Poynter media ethicist Julie Moos. But ABC did buy its scoop interview with Weiner sexting partner Meagan Broussard, "in the form of a 'licensing fee'" for her damning photos of Weiner. Paying for interviews and photos is common in Britain, and for U.S. tabloids, but has long been frowned on by America's more reputable news organizations. Now ABC and NBC News are defending "checkbook journalism" as a necessary evil. Should the press really pay people for their sleazy photos?
Paying for access corrupts journalism: There are legitimate reasons to pay "licensing fees" to freelance journalists or bystanders to an event, says Moos in Poynter. But when a news organization buys salacious photos from a source involved in the story, like Broussard, "it hurts journalism's credibility." Payments give people incentives to grossly exaggerate, lie about, or even arrange juicy news events. In other words, they create a market for corruption.
"5 reasons broadcasters pay licensing fees... and why it corrupts journalism"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What's the big deal? Sure, checkbook journalism "may stink, but it's been around so long that it's hard to smell it," says Jack Shafer at Slate. Besides, as someone "who has repeatedly been lied to by unpaid sources," I don't buy the credibility argument. There can be all sorts of "non-cash benefits" to giving your story or sexy photos away, like smearing your political opponents. At least when you pay a source for photos, you can "sue him for fraud" if they're fake.
Good or bad, checkbook journalism is here to stay: ABC paid Broussard $15,000 for more than just Weiner photos, says Noah Davis in Business Insider. It also bought "bragging rights" in its morning-show war against NBC. But "as checkbook journalism becomes more pervasive" — and the stakes are too high for it not to — it will also get more expensive. As the public catches on, the first question reporters will start hearing when talking to sources is, What's in it for me?
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published