Isn't this an ethics problem ? And then isn't the question whether this contract as reported is fundamentally unethical, or at least considered to be unethical

Isn't this an ethics problem ? And then isn't the question whether this contract as reported is fundamentally unethical, or at least considered to be unethical by the majority of the current UK populace. I would argue the answers to these questions are 'yes' and 'yes'. Just because previously newspapers have behaved unethically, doesn't change the matter. Newspapers often preach from the high moral ground/ 'courageously representing the views of the people' and the Standard is no exception. If the Evening Standard wanted to change what it called itself to e.g. a 'hand-out' that may be ok, but if it is claiming to be a newspaper written by journalists then this is not. I am not a journalist, but don't journalism ethics include the concepts of truthfulness, accountability, openness and independence amongst others.