‘Crisis issue’: the unease at Economist over parent group’s tobacco links

Paid-for editorial content and event sponsorship at Economist Impact division is fuelling a growing backlash

Events arm of Economist group to stop signing tobacco sponsorship deals

Since its foundation 181 years ago the Economist has built a reputation for integrity based on the independence of its editorial content. But now the respected weekly news magazine and website is facing a growing backlash over the editorial and commercial ties that a division of its parent company has with three of the world’s biggest tobacco companies.

Economist Impact, a unit that ran 136 events in the year to the end of March, was earlier this month forced to cancel at the last minute a world cancer conference due to be held in Brussels, after an outcry from speakers and attendees about its links with big tobacco.

Continue reading…

About Author