'Checkbook Journalism' Leads to Ethics Questions

Are NBC's and ABC's licensing fees ruining journalistic integrity?

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As ABC and NBC continue their endless competition for viewers, both networks have increasingly been in the spotlight for their willingness to open their checkbooks for a juicy interview, leading to questioning of the networks’ journalistic ethics.

Last week, it was confirmed that ABC paid between $10,000 and $15,000 in "licensing fees" for photos belonging to Meagan Broussard, one of the recipients of Rep. Anthony Weiner infamous “sexts.” Meanwhile, the network also secured an exclusive interview with Jaycee Lee Dugard, a California woman held captive for 18 years.

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