CT Group faces scrutiny over alleged payments to journalists for favourable coverage

A political lobbying firm, CT Group, is facing widespread condemnation following a four-month investigation by The Guardian, which revealed that lobbyists offered cash payments to journalists in exchange for favourable coverage of its clients. The firm, co-founded by election strategist Lynton Crosby, has been accused of undermining journalism ethics and democratic integrity, with critics describing the practice as an "attack on democracy."

The investigation found that CT Group lobbyists approached a freelance journalist to pitch a piece regarding the housebuilding industry and the Building Safety Regulator, established after the Grenfell Tower fire. In exchange for placing stories, the firm allegedly offered hundreds of pounds in cash incentives and increased editorial control. The firm, which reports an annual turnover of £40m and represents clients including tobacco firm Philip Morris and Manchester City Football Club, has denied the allegations.

CT Group stated that the events were "deliberately mischaracterised" and that it did not engage the undercover journalist or make any payments. The firm claimed that the journalist had "chased us relentlessly" for work over a period of more than six months. In a statement, the firm noted it does not comment publicly on client work and could not respond to specific allegations, asserting that it had not engaged the reporter.

The revelations have triggered calls for an overhaul of lobbying rules and demands for full transparency regarding financial exchanges between lobbyists and the media. Alastair McCapra, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, described the practice as an attack on the ethics of journalism and public relations. He highlighted that CT Group is not a member of the institute and is therefore not bound by its code of conduct, though he noted the majority of practitioners operate ethically.

MPs and transparency campaigners have expressed deep concern over the vulnerability of freelance journalists in the current media climate. Luke Taylor, a Liberal Democrat member of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee, called for full transparency on when money changes hands in reporting. Rupa Huq, a Labour member of the Commons media select committee, described the UK lobbying sector as the "wild west" due to a lack of regulation, urging the government to address the issue.

Martin Bright, a senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Essex, warned that paying reporters to place stories breaches the essential buffer zone between lobbying and journalism. He noted that the market is tough for freelance journalists, who often face irregular and low-paying work, and argued they should never be exploited in this manner. The incident has raised broader questions about the conduct of CT Group and the prevalence of hidden arrangements across the lobbying industry.