Since its foundation 181 years ago the Economist has built a reputation for integrity based on the independence of its editorial content. But now the respected weekly news magazine and website is facing a growing backlash over the editorial and commercial ties that a division of its parent company has with three of the world’s biggest tobacco companies.
Economist Impact, a unit that ran 136 events in the year to the end of March, was earlier this month forced to cancel at the last minute a world cancer conference due to be held in Brussels, after an outcry from speakers and attendees about its links with big tobacco.
