PressEthic

Corynne Steinler, one of the New York Post’s Page Six newest contributors and former Jossip.com blogger, has turned herself in to a bit of juicy gossip. Radar magazine reported today that Steinler’s plans for a going away party thrown by the Thompson Hotel bar to mark the end of her time at Jossip were thwarted by editors who have grown increasingly sensitive to the codes of journalism ethics in the wake of its own scandal.

Radar’s Jeff Bercovic wrote:

“Of course, a few passed appetizers and an open bar in exchange for a favorable mention on the page would've been no big deal a few months ago. But the Post has been enforcing a tighter ethics code since April, when the sins of alleged extortionist Jared Paul Stern brought unwanted attention to the rampant freebie-mongering of certain contributors.

“’You can't do that at Page Six anymore,’ said a Post insider.”

Stern, a long time contributor to the infamous gossip column, was caught on tape last April asking for over $100,000 from billionaire Democratic fundraiser Ronald W. Burkle in exchange for favorable coverage in the Page Six.

A lengthy April 8th New York Times article written by Campbell Robertson, Allison Hope Weiner and William K. Rashbaum reported:

“The accusations against Mr. Stern were striking for the boldness of his alleged behavior and the amount of money he is accused of requesting. But gossip columns have always occupied a murky corner in the realm of journalistic standards, which traditionally preclude writers and editors from accepting gifts from those they cover.”

It’s an embarrassing lesson for a young gossip reporter to learn, especially since Steinler hasn’t even started work yet at the Post. The allegations of extortion involving Stern were serious and apparently will stomp out any gift giving or swag sharing anytime in the near future at least. It’s probably for the best though, considering reputation that the incredibly popular gossip columns and blogs have for occupying that “murky corner" of journalism ethics.