Should CBS News Have Paid Route 66 Tour Guides?

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: CBS News Issues

Video:
Highway System Turns 50

The New York Times' David Cay Johnston sent me an email concerning Wednesday night's "Evening News" story about Route 66. Toward the end of the piece, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi noted that "John and Lenore Weiss head a historical group that's trying to preserve Route 66." John Weiss said "We always say that fun begins at the off ramp," and then Alfonsi chimed in again, saying, "So we hired them to take us there." (You can click on the video box to watch the story for yourself.)

Johnston expressed concern about the fact that CBS News "hired" the couple for the story. We asked Alfonsi for a little background information, and she emailed the following:

"They are full time Route 66 tour guides, and drove us around about 100 miles in their car. We paid them to show us the road, like any other customer."

I asked Linda Mason, CBS News senior vice president, standards and special projects, whether paying for the tour was a violation of CBS News standards.

"No, of course not," said Mason. "Especially because we disclosed it. He knew Route 66 – he was a specialist – and by disclosing it we're being totally transparent with our viewers."

Mason said disclosure was the key issue. "We disclose when we've paid somebody," she said. "Sometimes we do it by saying that the person is a CBS News analyst. Or a CBS News consultant. That's code for we paid this expert. Otherwise we would just say they're an energy analyst."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

3 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by joycewest July 2, 2006 8:53 PM EDT: I also wonder how many people are interpreting that code properly. Why does TV news choose to pay experts when I've never noticed newspapers doing so? I presume (tell me if I'm wrong) that paying an expert guarantees exclusivity and availability for live interviews when news breaks. Does the consultant offer advice or tips to news producers behind the scenes? Are there rules about not promoting the consultant's work? I can understand the value of having on hand a retired general to talk about military strategy, and maybe it's useful to supplement the knowledge of the news staff with a former insider's insights. In essence, however, it's journalists paying for interviews. Doesn't this muddy the waters ethically speaking? I bet a good number of cynics probably wonder how many other interviews are paid for. I have to say this isn't something that keeps me awake at night, because I realize interviews are not purchased by ethical news organizations. But there are many cynics who think interviews are paid for (such as those who thought CNN paid for the Angelina Jolie interview). I don't know that making it transparent that an expert is paid increases news media credibility. Would it not be better on balance to avoid all payment to interviewees? Or is the service rendered worth it?; Reply to this comment


by dyn175 July 1, 2006 12:40 AM EDT: Linda Mason says "Sometimes we do it by saying that the person is a CBS News analyst. Or a CBS News consultant. That's code for we paid this expert." I wonder how many viewers properly interpret the "code". Couldn't viewers reasonably believe that the consultant or analyst was appearing just because the person felt he or she had something important to say? Or maybe the person was subtly trying to advance a career (writing a book on the subject, for instance). Even certain advertisements note that the person is a "compensated spokesperson". If CBS News wants to be truly transparent, why use "code"?; Reply to this comment


by joycewest June 30, 2006 7:19 PM EDT: I'm curious what it pays to be a network news analyst or consultant. Maybe it's none of my business, but what's the ballpark figure? Does the pay depend on the expert's stature?; Reply to this comment