Gary Schwitzer, a professor in the University of Minnesota School of Journalism & Mass Communication and publisher of HealthNewsReview.org, calls our attention to journalism organizations that accept support from pharmaceutical companies.
Schwitzer reports that, in the latest incident, the National Press Foundation has accepted funding from Pfizer to fund 15 four-day fellowships for
journalists to learn about cancer. Schwitzer read about the fellowships in an e-newsletter he received from the Society of Professional Journalists, something that also gives him pause.
Bob Meyers, president of the National Press Foundation, has responded to Schwitzer’s comments on Jim Romenesko’s blog.
For the record, the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism seek to minimize the possibility and appearance of inappropriate influence from outside parties. Pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and medical device makers are examples of organizations with with AHCJ will not partner. Read AHCJ’s complete fundraising policies.
