networkn:

 

Rikkitic:

 

I haven't worked in public service but when I was a journalist I would sometimes be offered lavish meals and other perks in the course of doing interviews or research. I always refused these as a matter of principle. Not all would have been crossing any lines, but it is just too difficult to say this is okay, that isn't. It was simpler to always make a point of paying my own way. It was different when I was working for company publications and was offered hospitality as part of the job. No conflicts of interest there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I often wonder how impartial travel reporters are. 

 

 

 

Some are impartial. It's an industry where relationships blur into business, unlike OP's situation which is clearly unethical.

Years ago reporters from both the New York Times and L.A. Times came on our Canadian tours (at separate times).
The first we knew of each one was when the newspapers called to offer us advertising space, as we were to be featured in an upcoming travel section.

However we also had writers - particularly for 'Travel Magazines' - who came pre-arranged through Tourism Marketing Groups or Promotional Organisations.
You 'bid' for their pleasure of their company by offering free or 'fam' tours which were combined into packages those groups would arrange for them.

There was always the -obvious- threat that by not joining in when your competitors did, you'd be at a marketing disadvantage.
And the less obvious that by schmoozing up to these people you'd be treated differently in the future by the organisations themselves.
You could miss out on invites to Tourism conferences, places on advisory committees, even access to lobbyists on upcoming Federal and Provincial legislation..

We also had several 'freelance' journalists who booked through normal channels, announced themselves on arrival or during the tours.
Had no problem with them, they paid and we treated them like normal guests.