A new report by NPR and Floodlight, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action, alleges that Florida Politics, a leading news site in the state, has engaged in “pay for play” journalism, charging politicians and corporate interests for favorable coverage.
The report details several instances in which Florida Politics published positive stories about politicians and companies that had paid the site for advertising or sponsorships. In one case, a lobbyist for a casino company paid Florida Politics $10,000 for a series of favorable articles about the company’s proposal to build a new casino in Florida.
The report also alleges that Florida Politics has engaged in a practice known as “astroturfing,” creating fake grassroots campaigns to promote the interests of its clients. In one instance, Florida Politics created a website and social media accounts to promote a group that was ostensibly opposed to a new tax on sugary drinks. However, the group was actually funded by a beverage company that stood to benefit from the defeat of the tax.
The allegations against Florida Politics have been met with outrage from journalists and ethics experts. Many have called for the site to be shut down or for its owners to be held accountable for their actions.
Florida Politics has denied the allegations, claiming that its coverage is always impartial and that its advertising and sponsorships have no influence on its editorial decisions. However, the report’s evidence suggests otherwise.
The report’s findings raise serious concerns about the state of journalism in Florida. If true, the allegations against Florida Politics suggest that the site is nothing more than a propaganda machine for the wealthy and powerful. This is a betrayal of the public trust and a threat to democracy.
The report also underscores the importance of supporting independent, nonprofit journalism. Nonprofit newsrooms are not beholden to corporate interests and are therefore more likely to produce unbiased and accurate reporting. If we want to ensure that we have a free and informed press, we need to support these organizations.