May 4, 2011

Skin-crawling example of attempts to buy health care news coverage

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ivan Oransky

May 4, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Tell you what, Gary. I’ll fund your reward. I’ll donate $100 to AHCJ on behalf of the first person who finds this release somewhere.
Ivan Oransky
Executive Editor, Reuters Health
Treasurer, AHCJ

In response to Gary’s question on twitter whether this is the sleaziest PR pitch ever:
Not even close. As sleazy as this is, it has the virtue of being honest and extremely precise. We know exactly what we’re dealing with here. I wish the same was true for so many of the other PR pitches I get. I’ll take this one any day.

Frederik Joelving

May 5, 2011 at 2:17 pm

I’m at a loss for words… While I’d like to see Ivan hand over $100, I doubt it’s going to happen. Let’s see if I’m naive.
Frederik Joelving
Reporter, Reuters Health

lisa

May 9, 2011 at 10:08 am

It reads like one of those infamous “Nigerian scam” emails. I wonder if anyone has tried to call the phone number in the press release to see who answers.

The Ethicator

May 10, 2011 at 2:54 pm

You forgot to include the address of the people offering the inducement.
Hypothetically speaking, if a well-known bioethics thought leader were to post this on his own blog and then turn himself in, would you still offer the $100? Thank you.
The Ethicator
http://www.whitecoatblackhat.com/category/ethicator/

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