Two of my editors have been called by Daryl Lindsey from Salon.com, and another reporter from Inside.com, asking them what their position is now that this website has some sponsorship from PHRMA, the umbrella group for the pharmaceutical companies. Lindsey has asked my editors whether they will now stop me writing about that issue in their pages, or insert conflict of interest disclosures in such articles, because my work is now allegedly tainted. Tainted? How is this different than bigger magazines or newspapers taking far more money from such companies in advertising? Lindsey argues that unlike bigger magazines, this is an example of an individual writer, who covers pharmaceutical industry issues extensively, accepting direct payment for the ads. I see his worry, but he’s wrong. First off, the money goes to Fantascope.com, the parent company for this site. It doesn’t go to me directly. I see none of it – and none of the donation money either. We set up a very strict editorial/corporate wall early on for financing this little site. (I was unaware until a few minutes ago that we had even actually received any money from PHRMA. It turns out it was deposited two days ago. That kind of editorial-corporate separation is the point.) I have yet to receive a cent from this venture. Everything we have raised so far has gone to expenses. Secondly, all the direct negotiations for this matter were conducted by my webmaster, Robert Cameron, who handles all the business matters. Thirdly, there is full disclosure. Robert told the New York Times about the deal before it was even completed – and it would entail a clear and blaring ad on the site as the return. We’re not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
The deeper question is: can me-zines accept any financing from sponsorship and advertising without these kinds of attacks? By their very nature, these sites are individual ventures. I want to try and make this one more than a simple personal web-page – not to make myself rich off it (fat chance) but to prove a point about the economic viability of journalism on the web. But inevitably, it’s andrewsullivan.com, which makes the appearance of a conflict of interest almost unavoidable. It doesn’t help matters that my first sponsors are the target of leftist hatred and demonization, and that they are embroiled in a public controversy I intend to keep writing about. So here’s my decision. I’m returning the money and revoking the sponsorship. I don’t want to be a wimp, but nor do I want to give my critics an easy target. This is not a criticism of the drug companies. I would be proud of their sponsorship. But I don’t want to have every argument I make about the importance of pharmaceutical research to be undermined by the lie that I have been bought and paid for. It’s a lie, as anyone who has read me for long enough knows. My beliefs on this and on many things are not for sale. But I don’t see why I should give my critics any unnecessary ammunition or my beloved editors elsewhere any grief. But here’s my request in return. If you know of any company that would be willing to sponsor this site, with a minimum sponsorship of $10,000, please contact Robert Cameron at robert@fantascope.com. We need financial support, and we’d prefer it from companies which are not directly involved in major controversy. If this site is to last longer than, say, Suck or Feed or, ahem, Salon, we need your corporate help.
The Dish 