Va. school district pays reporter on the beat as consultant

[wicked]

A woman who runs a local news website in Alexandria, Va., says it was totally OK to work as a $75-per-hour communications consultant for the local school district she covers.

“I do not [see a conflict of interest],” said Branch, who previously worked for the Alexandria Gazette Packet and Alexandria Times.

“I can’t use any of the information I obtained for any other purpose than the communication plan,” she said, referring to a contractual agreement with ACPS.

http://alextimes.com/2012/07/alexandria-city-public-schools-paid-education-reporter-for-advice/

 

[HejiraHenry]

Good that somebody blew the whistle on that.

 

[ColdCat]

how convenient, she can just call herself to get a quote

 

[HejiraHenry]

I would love me some $75 an hour consulting work, though.

 

[rpmmutant]

Who else is willing to pay her for covering the school board? The Alexandria Times? Doubtful, unless she was willing to write a blog for free as a community journalist.

 

[Drip]

I would love me some $75 an hour consulting work, though.

Hell yes. Virginia is for lovers.

 

[Stitch]

Yes, it's a conflict of interest, but it's her site and her reputation. I don't know if FTC rules apply in this case regarding not disclosing a financial interest.

With newspapers cutting back and hyperlocal sites popping up, expect to see more of this.

 

[Tarheel316]

I would love me some $75 an hour consulting work, though.

Yeah. Me too.

 

[MightyMouse]

I should tell our education reporter about this. There was a hullabaloo a few months ago when our city district's union was voting on a new contract. A lot of the administrators had no idea what was what, and needed our reporter to explain a lot of it to them just to get a decent quote. Dude could've made some money off that.

 

[Oggiedoggie]

She should ask herself to go to lunch so that she can lobby for more coverage on the website but, when the check comes to the table, refuse to let her pay for her lunch and pickup her share of the tab, citing ethical concerns.