Corporate-funded research designed to influence public policy

CORPORATE-FUNDED RESEARCH DESIGNED TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY
[SOURCE: Nieman Watchdog, AUTHOR: Bruce Kushnick]
[Commentary] Reports by well-known think tanks and individuals funded by telecoms are helping quash competition, increase phone rates and set up a corporate-oriented Internet system. Is there any reason to trust these reports? Or to trust experts who testify before regulators without revealing the sources of their funding? It is clear that we are in the age of "stink tanks,” in which corporate-funded think tanks and well-paid, credentialed academics are hired to make corporate arguments and give the appearance of being independent experts. What should happen with these groups and individuals that pass as independent think tanks or expert professors but that are in part paid consultants working to help big corporations achieve their goals? 1) The Internal Revenue Service should remove their non-profit status, with Congressional authorization and direction if necessary. 2) The IRS should consider imposing penalties for violation of non-profit status. 3) The Justice Department should investigate bringing criminal and civil charges for defrauding the government. 4) Congress should require disclosure of all related payments from all corporations, associations, etc., by individuals seeking to testify at any public hearing or other event before the FTC, FCC, Congress, state and federal regulatory and governmental agencies.
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