checkbook journalism

noun

1. the practice of paying for a news story or an interview, or for exclusive broadcasting or publishing rights.

Example Sentences

The Enquirer’s extreme brand of checkbook journalism came into full view in 2018 when its parent company, American Media Inc., struck a deal with Manhattan prosecutors to cooperate with an investigation into the hush-money payments in exchange for immunity in the case.

From New York Times

He described the tabloid’s use of “checkbook journalism,” a practice that entails paying a source for a story.

From Seattle Times

Frost got the exclusive in part because he made Nixon the highest offer, an exchange that was denigrated as “checkbook journalism” — though at least one network had offered Nixon money too.

From New York Times

“His stories were kind of mind-blowing: stories of checkbook journalism, unconventional sourcing, bribes, disguises, espionage and all kinds of scurrilous tactics,” Landsman recalled.

From The Guardian

While there are obvious parallels between the two cases — in both, TMZ obtained and released the crucial videos igniting the controversies — there are also fundamental differences that some legal experts say demonstrate the challenges facing the NFL as it tries to investigate allegations of wrongdoing against its players without the legal powers of law enforcement, or an interest in adopting the so-called “checkbook journalism” tactics of TMZ.

From Washington Post