The Medill School of Journalism's Washington Program revealed its Pentagon Travel project last week (
multimedia).
Most privately paid for travel was found to be
within the bounds of federal law, but some still show a clear
conflict of interest.
Key findings: From 1998 through 2007, sources outside the federal government paid for more than 22,000 trips worth at least $26 million. The medical industry paid for more travel than any other outside interest — more than $10 million for some 8,700 trips, or about 40 percent of all outside sponsored travel. Among the targets: military pharmacists, doctors, and others who administer the Pentagon’s $6 billion-plus annual budget for prescription drugs.
Medill acquired 10 years worth of trip data and partnered with the Center for Public Integrity to form a
searchable database which includes destination, date, sponsor, sponsor nationality, cost of trip or agency.
posted by Smedleyman
on Jun 16, 2009 -
3 comments
