This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31529682

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
More Telegraph writers voice concern More Telegraph writers voice concern
(about 7 hours later)
Daily Telegraph journalists have said they felt discouraged from writing uncomfortable stories about a range of advertisers and commercial partners.Daily Telegraph journalists have said they felt discouraged from writing uncomfortable stories about a range of advertisers and commercial partners.
These included the governments of Russia and China, a film distributor and RBS, BBC Newsnight has learned.These included the governments of Russia and China, a film distributor and RBS, BBC Newsnight has learned.
Writer Peter Oborne said this week he left because he felt commercial matters were affecting editorial output.Writer Peter Oborne said this week he left because he felt commercial matters were affecting editorial output.
The Telegraph refused to comment on the issues raised by Newsnight, but denied advertising had affected articles.The Telegraph refused to comment on the issues raised by Newsnight, but denied advertising had affected articles.
More than a dozen current and recent Telegraph journalists have confirmed Mr Oborne's concerns that the newspaper has a particular problem maintaining the "Chinese walls" that most newspapers keep between their advertising departments and the work of their journalists.More than a dozen current and recent Telegraph journalists have confirmed Mr Oborne's concerns that the newspaper has a particular problem maintaining the "Chinese walls" that most newspapers keep between their advertising departments and the work of their journalists.
In one bizarre case, the review for children's film Despicable Me 2 was bumped up from a two-star rating to three stars for commercial reasons.In one bizarre case, the review for children's film Despicable Me 2 was bumped up from a two-star rating to three stars for commercial reasons.
The children's film's distributors had bought extensive advertising in the newspaper in the run-up to its launch.The children's film's distributors had bought extensive advertising in the newspaper in the run-up to its launch.
More seriously, journalists gave examples to Newsnight of how commercial concerns affected coverage given to China and Russia.More seriously, journalists gave examples to Newsnight of how commercial concerns affected coverage given to China and Russia.
In another case, Jason Seiken, a senior editorial executive, responded to a story published that morning about turmoil within RBS by pointedly telling financial reporters that the bank was an important commercial partner for the newspaper. In another case in December 2013, Jason Seiken, a senior editorial executive, responded to a story that had been published about turmoil within RBS by pointedly telling financial reporters that the bank was an important commercial partner for the newspaper.
Confidential dataConfidential data
There were also profound problems with mutual trust within the newspaper.There were also profound problems with mutual trust within the newspaper.
In late 2012, it ran two big stories on HSBC's Jersey subsidiary.In late 2012, it ran two big stories on HSBC's Jersey subsidiary.
In the discussions afterwards, HSBC sought the confidential data used by the newspaper. The Telegraph refused.In the discussions afterwards, HSBC sought the confidential data used by the newspaper. The Telegraph refused.
Aidan Barclay, the chair of the Telegraph, subsequently asked for a copy of the confidential data to be passed from the Telegraph's lawyer to his own personal lawyer.Aidan Barclay, the chair of the Telegraph, subsequently asked for a copy of the confidential data to be passed from the Telegraph's lawyer to his own personal lawyer.
Telegraph journalists prepared a redacted version of the information so they could give it to him without fear that their source might be identified from it.Telegraph journalists prepared a redacted version of the information so they could give it to him without fear that their source might be identified from it.
Mr Oborne's decision to make his criticisms publicly was triggered by the newspaper's coverage of the recent controversy about HSBC's Swiss arm.Mr Oborne's decision to make his criticisms publicly was triggered by the newspaper's coverage of the recent controversy about HSBC's Swiss arm.
Independent analysis of the newspaper's output by the Media Standards Trust has indicated that it took less interest in the story than any other major newspaper.Independent analysis of the newspaper's output by the Media Standards Trust has indicated that it took less interest in the story than any other major newspaper.
Gordon Ramsay, who works at the trust, concluded: "The Telegraph devoted far fewer articles to the subject than comparable UK news sources.Gordon Ramsay, who works at the trust, concluded: "The Telegraph devoted far fewer articles to the subject than comparable UK news sources.
"Those articles that it did publish contained little or no investigation into the allegations levelled at HSBC, instead framing the issue as a matter of embarrassment or conflict among politicians, political parties, or public bodies.""Those articles that it did publish contained little or no investigation into the allegations levelled at HSBC, instead framing the issue as a matter of embarrassment or conflict among politicians, political parties, or public bodies."
'Inaccuracy and innuendo''Inaccuracy and innuendo'
The Telegraph declined to comment on the specific issues raised by Newsnight, instead reissuing a statement first released on Tuesday.The Telegraph declined to comment on the specific issues raised by Newsnight, instead reissuing a statement first released on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said: "Like any other business, we never comment on individual commercial relationships, but our policy is absolutely clear.A spokesperson said: "Like any other business, we never comment on individual commercial relationships, but our policy is absolutely clear.
"We aim to provide all our commercial partners with a range of advertising solutions, but the distinction between advertising and our award-winning editorial operation has always been fundamental to our business."We aim to provide all our commercial partners with a range of advertising solutions, but the distinction between advertising and our award-winning editorial operation has always been fundamental to our business.
"We utterly [deny] any allegation to the contrary."We utterly [deny] any allegation to the contrary.
"It is a matter of huge regret that Peter Oborne, for nearly five years a contributor to the Telegraph, should have launched such an astonishing and unfounded attack, full of inaccuracy and innuendo, on his own paper.""It is a matter of huge regret that Peter Oborne, for nearly five years a contributor to the Telegraph, should have launched such an astonishing and unfounded attack, full of inaccuracy and innuendo, on his own paper."