LONDON — A political lobbying firm has been accused of offering covert payments to journalists to secure favorable coverage for corporate clients, prompting renewed scrutiny of lobbying practices and media ethics in Britain after an undercover investigation published this week.
The investigation by The Guardian alleged that representatives of CT Group, a lobbying and strategic communications firm co-founded by political strategist Lynton Crosby, offered financial incentives to a freelance journalist to publish articles supporting clients' interests in national newspapers while presenting the reporting as independent.
According to the investigation, CT Group employees proposed paying the journalist £100 for each published article and additional fees for moderating industry events. The report said staff discussed providing research, case studies and editorial guidance while seeking greater influence over the content if payments were accepted.
The Guardian reported that one proposed assignment involved coverage criticizing Britain's Building Safety Regulator on behalf of interests linked to the property sector. Other discussions allegedly concerned generating favorable coverage for property guardianship company Live-in Guardians.
CT Group rejected the allegations, saying the events had been "deliberately mischaracterised." The firm denied engaging or paying the undercover journalist and said it does not ask journalists to act contrary to professional or ethical standards. It also said journalists frequently undertake legitimate media-related work, including moderating events and participating in industry discussions.
The investigation included recordings, meetings and email exchanges conducted over several months, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reported that its undercover journalist declined the proposed arrangement after expressing concern that accepting undisclosed payments from a lobbying firm while publishing ostensibly independent articles would present ethical issues.
The allegations have intensified debate over transparency in Britain's lobbying industry, where campaigners and ethics advocates have called for tighter disclosure requirements governing contacts between lobbyists, policymakers and other influential actors. Earlier this month, the government's Ethics and Integrity Commission recommended broad reforms that would require substantially greater public disclosure of lobbying activity in an effort to strengthen public confidence in government decision-making.
No regulator had announced formal enforcement action against CT Group in connection with the allegations as of Thursday. The company continues to deny wrongdoing, while the investigation has renewed calls from transparency advocates for stronger safeguards governing lobbying activities and clearer standards surrounding interactions between public relations firms and journalists.
