NYT’s Pogue getting another pass on ethics?

Jeff Bercovici of Forbes.com writes Tuesday about how a public relations firm is charging $159 so that people can hear New York Times tech columnist David Pogue talk about the pitches that end up getting coverage.

Bercovici writes, “I emailed the Times’s PR department to ask about this apparent transgression. Here’s the response I got:

David’s editors are discussing this outside engagement with him.

As a freelancer with a number of activities beyond The Times, David has some leeway in work he does on his own time, but he is expected to consult with his editors to ensure that none of that work poses a conflict with his assignments for The Times.

“The paper has responded to Pogue’s previous misdemeanors with something less than the zero-tolerance rigidity it has shown other writers who’ve made similar missteps. For instance, after Pogue gave a paid speech at a Consumer Electronics Association trade show, the Times ‘reminded [him] of the policy provisions barring acceptance of speaking fees or travel expenses from all but educational or other non-profit organizations that do not have lobbying or political activity as a major focus.’ But the paper also took care to note that Pogue was not on assignment for the Times when he gave the speech. It’s worth noting that the prohibition against giving public relations advice applies to ‘journalists’ — a designation that applies to freelancers like Pogue as well as full-time staffers.”

Read more here.