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Catch and kill

Catch and kill is a tactic originating in tabloid journalism whereby a publication acquires exclusive rights to a story not to report it, but to suppress its dissemination and prevent competitors from publishing it.^[1]^[2] The practice leverages non-disclosure agreements and payments to claimants, effectively burying narratives that could harm the subject's reputation, and has been described as a longstanding method among editors to control damaging information.^[3]^[4] The strategy gained prominence through its application by American Media, Inc. (AMI), publisher of the National Enquirer, which reportedly used it to shield celebrities and political figures by purchasing claims of misconduct or personal affairs.^[5]^[6] Notable instances include AMI's acquisition of rights to allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, where intermediaries facilitated deals to preempt investigative reporting on sexual misconduct claims.^[7] Similarly, AMI entered agreements to obtain and withhold stories involving former model Karen McDougal's alleged relationship with Donald Trump, as well as other pre-2016 election claims, framing them as protective measures under the guise of editorial discretion.^[8]^[9]^[10] Critics argue that catch and kill undermines journalistic integrity and public access to information, potentially enabling reputational management at the expense of transparency, though proponents view it as a legitimate exercise of press freedom in deciding non-publication.^[11] Legally, the tactic itself faces no blanket prohibition under the First Amendment, which safeguards editorial choices, but it has intersected with campaign finance laws when payments are deemed contributions to influence elections, as explored in federal probes involving AMI's cooperation with authorities.^[12]^[13] This has prompted debates over whether such suppression constitutes protected speech or actionable concealment, particularly in politically charged contexts where source motivations and credibility vary widely.^[14]^[15]

Definition and Mechanics

Core Practice and Process

The core practice of catch and kill entails a media organization purchasing exclusive rights to a story from its source with the deliberate intention of preventing its public disclosure, thereby suppressing potentially damaging information. This tactic, prevalent in tabloid journalism, operates by transferring legal control of the narrative to the buyer, who then withholds publication indefinitely.^[1]^[3] The process typically initiates when editors or executives identify a tip or offer involving sensitive material, such as personal allegations against a public figure. Negotiations follow, where the outlet offers payment—often inflated beyond typical rates for similar content—to secure an agreement assigning all publishing rights and imposing exclusivity restrictions on the source. For instance, in arrangements coordinated by American Media Inc. (AMI), payments like $150,000 were made to sources for stories deemed harmful to allies, with contracts ensuring the material could not be sold or shared elsewhere.^[16]^[17]^[18] Upon execution, the acquired story is archived without release, effectively "killing" it to block competitive outlets from accessing the source or details due to contractual barriers. This suppression serves external interests, such as protecting political campaigns, as AMI's former CEO David Pecker testified in April 2024, describing a pre-election strategy to identify and neutralize negative narratives through such buys rather than journalistic dissemination.^[18]^[17]^[16] Operationally, the practice leverages internal tip networks, rapid legal drafting, and source vetting to execute discreetly, prioritizing strategic value over revenue from publication. Tabloid firms like AMI employed dedicated personnel, including chief content officers, to monitor and act on leads, coordinating with third parties to align on targets while maintaining plausible deniability as routine acquisitions.^[18]^[3]^[19]

Legal Tools and Contracts

Catch and kill operations primarily rely on contracts that secure exclusive publishing rights to a source's story, coupled with non-disclosure clauses that prohibit the source from sharing the information elsewhere. These agreements allow the purchasing media entity to "catch" the narrative by compensating the source—often with a lump-sum payment—and then "kill" it by withholding publication, effectively neutralizing potential damage to a third party's reputation. Such contracts are typically structured as limited life story rights licenses, where the media company acquires sole authority over the material's dissemination, rendering it unavailable to competitors.^[20] A key example is the August 5, 2016, agreement between American Media Inc. (AMI), publisher of the National Enquirer, and Karen McDougal, who alleged a romantic relationship with Donald Trump. For $150,000, AMI obtained exclusive rights to McDougal's account, framed as a deal for her to write over 100 articles, including fitness columns and a book, though the affair-related content was never published.^[21] ^[22] The contract included confidentiality provisions binding McDougal from disclosing the story independently, with AMI later admitting in a 2018 non-prosecution agreement that the payment aimed to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election by suppressing the story on behalf of Trump.^[23] Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) embedded in or appended to these rights-purchase contracts enforce silence through penalties such as liquidated damages, injunctions, or forfeiture of payments upon breach. In catch and kill contexts, NDAs often extend beyond the story's specifics to bar the source from discussing the agreement itself, though enforceability can vary; for instance, McDougal's 2018 lawsuit challenging the contract's validity under duress and fraud claims resulted in a settlement allowing her to retain the $150,000 while AMI claimed up to $75,000 from any future story profits.^[21] ^[24] These tools are generally legal under contract law, provided they do not violate public policy by concealing criminal acts, as courts have upheld similar suppressions of embarrassing but non-illegal personal matters. However, in political or corporate settings, they have faced scrutiny for potential ties to fraud when misrepresented as standard journalistic acquisitions.^[25]

Historical Development

Origins in Tabloid Journalism

The practice of catch and kill emerged within tabloid journalism as a strategy for acquiring exclusive rights to scandalous stories with the explicit intent of suppressing their publication, thereby protecting high-profile individuals. The term itself was coined by longstanding tabloid editors to denote "catching" a story through purchase and then "killing" it by withholding release, distinguishing it from standard checkbook journalism aimed at exclusive scoops for print.^[4] This method allowed tabloids to monetize their role as gatekeepers of gossip, often in service of celebrity or political allies who provided tips or favors in return.^[3] The National Enquirer, a flagship American tabloid founded in 1952, exemplified and popularized the technique under executives like David Pecker, who assumed the presidency of its parent company, American Media Inc., in 1999. Prior to high-profile political applications, catch and kill was routinely used to shield entertainers and politicians from damaging revelations, with payments securing lifelong exclusivity clauses that barred sellers from approaching competitors. Pecker later described these deals as standard operating procedure for safeguarding "friends" in Hollywood and beyond, involving sums that could reach six figures for credible claims of infidelity or misconduct.^[18]^[26] A prominent early instance occurred during Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2003 gubernatorial campaign in California, where the National Enquirer bought and buried multiple accounts from women alleging extramarital affairs with the actor-turned-politician. Pecker testified that the outlet expended hundreds of thousands of dollars on these acquisitions, including one for approximately $20,000 related to a specific accuser's story, ensuring the material never saw print to avoid jeopardizing Schwarzenegger's candidacy.^[19] This case illustrated how catch and kill functioned as a quid pro quo in tabloid ecosystems, where suppression deals fostered reciprocal access to verifiable scoops on rivals, predating its escalation in digital and political contexts.^[18]

Expansion in the Digital Age

The proliferation of internet access and social media in the early 2000s amplified the speed and scope of information dissemination, compelling catch and kill practitioners to adapt by incorporating explicit prohibitions on online publication into suppression agreements. Tabloid publishers, facing competition from digital outlets and anonymous leaks, expanded contracts to secure exclusive digital rights alongside print exclusivity, ensuring stories could not be shopped to blogs, forums, or emerging online news sites. This evolution addressed the challenge of viral potential, where a single post could evade traditional gatekeeping.^[27] By the mid-2000s, American Media, Inc. (AMI), publisher of the National Enquirer, under CEO David Pecker, systematized catch and kill to shield high-profile figures amid rising digital scrutiny. In 2006, AMI suppressed a doorman's claim of an alleged out-of-wedlock child fathered by Donald Trump, preventing its spread across print and nascent online platforms. Similar tactics protected Arnold Schwarzenegger during his 2006 gubernatorial campaign, where AMI buried an affair story involving a staffer, maintaining silence despite the story's potential for digital amplification.^[28]^[26] The 2010s marked further expansion into political applications, driven by the influence of social media on public opinion. In 2015, Pecker pledged to serve as Trump's "eyes and ears," coordinating to catch negative stories during the presidential campaign. This included AMI's August 2016 payment of $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal for rights to her account of a months-long affair with Trump, suppressing it across all media to avert online leaks or competitor publication. AMI also facilitated efforts around adult film actress Stormy Daniels' similar allegations, though executed via Trump's attorney, underscoring the practice's adaptation to digital-era threats like rapid social media sharing. In 2018, AMI acknowledged the McDougal deal violated campaign finance laws by aiming to influence the election, highlighting the heightened stakes in a networked information environment.^[28]^[26]

Notable Examples

In the mid-20th century, catch and kill practices emerged within tabloid journalism as a means to suppress damaging stories about celebrities in exchange for exclusive access or favors, predating their politicization in the 2010s. Under publisher Gene Pope Jr., the National Enquirer withheld reports of comedian Bob Hope's alleged extramarital affairs to secure his cooperation for favorable profiles and interviews, a tactic employed before David Pecker's tenure began in 1999.^[29] This approach allowed tabloids to maintain relationships with high-profile figures while avoiding publication that could alienate sources or advertisers. Sports figures became targets for such suppression as tabloids expanded coverage of athletes' personal lives in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. A notable instance involved golfer Tiger Woods in 2007, when National Enquirer reporters surveilled and photographed him in an extramarital encounter with pancake-house waitress Mindy Lawton inside his Cadillac Escalade at a Florida golf course.^[30] Rather than publishing the story, then-publisher David Pecker leveraged the evidence to negotiate Woods' participation in an exclusive interview and cover feature for American Media Inc.'s (AMI) sister publication, Men's Fitness, which appeared in the August 2007 issue and sold approximately 30% more copies than the average edition.^[29]^[31] Pecker later testified in 2024 that the Enquirer routinely acquired negative stories about athletes like Woods with the intent to bury them, using the threat of exposure to extract concessions such as promotional appearances.^[32]^[33] This method provided short-term image protection for Woods, whose broader pattern of affairs remained concealed until a 2009 car crash prompted public disclosures and his eventual divorce.^[29] Former Enquirer staff confirmed that suppressing sports-related scandals for access was a longstanding tabloid strategy, often blurring ethical lines between journalism and deal-making.^[29]

Political Applications in the 2010s

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, American Media, Inc. (AMI), publisher of the National Enquirer, engaged in catch and kill arrangements to suppress negative stories about Donald Trump, coordinated with his campaign advisor Michael Cohen. In a July 2015 meeting at Trump Tower, AMI CEO David Pecker informed Trump and Cohen that he would serve as the campaign's "eyes and ears," identifying and acquiring potentially damaging stories for non-publication.^[34]^[35] The first such instance occurred in late 2015, when AMI purchased exclusive rights to a story from Trump Tower doorman Dino Sajudin, who claimed Trump had fathered an illegitimate child with a housekeeper approximately 30 years prior. AMI paid Sajudin $30,000 for the story rights but never published it after verifying its falsity through Cohen. Pecker later testified that this was executed under the catch and kill strategy to protect Trump's candidacy.^[36]^[37]^[38] A more significant case involved former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who alleged a 10-month affair with Trump from 2006 to 2007. On August 19, 2016, AMI acquired McDougal's life story rights for $150,000, including her account of the relationship, with the explicit intent to bury it and prevent publication that could harm Trump's election prospects. The deal, brokered by Cohen, included provisions for McDougal to contribute fitness columns to AMI publications as cover, though the primary purpose was suppression. Pecker confirmed in 2024 testimony that this payment constituted an in-kind campaign contribution.^[39]^[40]^[41] In September 2018, AMI entered a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, admitting the McDougal payment was made "in concert with, and at the request of, a candidate and his political campaign" to ensure the story "did not influence the election." AMI acknowledged violating campaign finance laws by failing to report the $150,000 as an expenditure and agreed to cooperate with investigations; the Federal Election Commission later fined AMI $187,500 for the illegal contribution. These actions highlighted catch and kill's deployment as a political tool to control narratives during the 2016 campaign.^[42]^[43]^[44]

Entertainment Industry Instances

Catch and kill practices in the entertainment industry have primarily involved tabloid publishers like American Media, Inc. (AMI), which owns the National Enquirer, suppressing negative stories about celebrities and executives in exchange for payments or favors. Film producer Harvey Weinstein utilized these tactics extensively to bury allegations of sexual misconduct. AMI forged a mutually beneficial relationship with Weinstein, catching and killing multiple stories about his alleged affairs and assaults to protect his reputation while receiving promotional support for positive coverage.^[29]^[45] During investigations into Weinstein's behavior, AMI's chief content officer Dylan Howard informed associates that the company held extensive unreported material on Weinstein's sexual misconduct, acquired through catch and kill agreements. Investigative reporting revealed that Weinstein's team, including private investigators, worked alongside tabloid operatives to identify and neutralize potential sources before stories could gain traction elsewhere. This included efforts to discredit accusers and pressure media outlets, as detailed in Ronan Farrow's account of his New Yorker exposé published on October 10, 2017, which ultimately broke through despite suppression attempts.^[29]^[46] Beyond Weinstein, AMI applied catch and kill to other entertainment figures. In testimony during the 2024 Donald Trump hush money trial, AMI CEO David Pecker stated that the company suppressed stories for actor Mark Wahlberg and Friends star Matt LeBlanc, among others, by purchasing exclusive rights and declining to publish. Pecker also referenced similar arrangements for Tiger Woods, whose infidelity scandals in 2009 intersected with entertainment media coverage, and Arnold Schwarzenegger prior to his 2003 California gubernatorial run, during which AMI buried a story about an extramarital child born in 1997. These instances illustrate how catch and kill served as a tool for Hollywood power players to manage public image amid potential scandals.^[47]^[29]

Legal Dimensions

General Legality and Precedents

Catch and kill practices are generally legal under United States contract law, as they involve the purchase of exclusive rights to information via enforceable non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or licensing deals, allowing the buyer to suppress publication without breaching any inherent legal prohibition.^[10] Courts routinely uphold NDAs and similar contracts provided they meet standard formation requirements—offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual intent—and do not contravene public policy, such as statutes prohibiting concealment of crimes or securities fraud.^[48] The enforceability stems from freedom of contract principles, where parties may privately agree to withhold information from the public domain, distinct from government censorship barred by the First Amendment.^[12] No federal or state precedents have categorically invalidated catch and kill arrangements as unlawful; instead, challenges typically fail unless tied to extraneous violations, like undue influence or regulatory breaches. For instance, in 2018, Karen McDougal sued American Media, Inc. (AMI) to void her $150,000 NDA from August 2016, alleging fraud and illegality, but AMI voluntarily released her from the agreement in August 2018 amid a Federal Election Commission probe, averting a merits ruling on enforceability.^[49] Similarly, courts have enforced analogous hush agreements in defamation or settlement contexts, emphasizing that private suppression of speech does not equate to compelled silence under constitutional scrutiny.^[25] While ethical critiques abound in journalistic codes—such as the Society of Professional Journalists' emphasis on minimizing harm over suppression—legal challenges invoking First Amendment defenses for the suppressor have not succeeded in overturning contracts outright, as editorial non-publication decisions remain protected prerogatives.^[1] Recent legislative trends, like California's 2018 STAND Act restricting NDAs in sexual harassment settlements, signal evolving public policy limits but exempt general story suppression absent abuse claims.^[50] Thus, catch and kill persists as a viable tool, with liability arising only if the underlying deal implicates separate doctrines, such as antitrust collusion or election interference.^[51]

Ties to Fraud and Election Law

The practice of catch and kill intersected with U.S. election law during the 2016 presidential campaign when American Media Inc. (AMI), publisher of the National Enquirer, coordinated with Donald Trump's campaign to suppress negative stories. AMI purchased rights to a story from former Playboy model Karen McDougal alleging a sexual relationship with Trump for $150,000 in August 2016, explicitly to prevent it from influencing the election, as AMI later admitted to federal prosecutors. This arrangement was deemed an unlawful corporate contribution to Trump's campaign, violating the Federal Election Campaign Act's prohibition on corporations making expenditures in coordination with candidates.^[43] In June 2021, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) fined AMI $187,500 for the McDougal payment, classifying it as an illegal in-kind contribution exceeding statutory limits and coordinated with the Trump campaign to benefit its electoral prospects. AMI entered a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in 2018, acknowledging the catch and kill was done "in concert with and at the request of" Trump's campaign team to suppress damaging information. Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, facilitated related efforts and pleaded guilty in August 2018 to two counts of campaign finance violations for arranging $280,000 in hush money payments, including to McDougal via AMI and to Stormy Daniels, exceeding individual contribution limits of $2,700 per election and done "at the direction of" Trump to influence the 2016 election.^[52]^[53]^[54] Catch and kill practices have also been linked to fraud allegations through efforts to conceal such payments. In Trump's New York criminal trial, prosecutors alleged that reimbursements to Cohen for the $130,000 Daniels payment—disguised as legal expenses in Trump Organization records—constituted falsification of business records to hide underlying campaign finance violations, elevating 34 misdemeanor counts to felonies under state law. Cohen's 2018 guilty plea included charges of falsifying bank records related to these transactions, tying the suppression scheme to broader financial misrepresentation. Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in May 2024, with the jury finding intent to defraud through the catch and kill-related cover-up, though appeals are ongoing.^[10]^[55]

Ethical and Philosophical Debates

Criticisms from Journalistic Standards

The practice of catch and kill has drawn sharp rebukes from journalistic organizations for contravening core ethical principles, particularly those enshrined in codes like the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, which mandates that journalists "seek truth and report it" as their primary obligation to the public.^[56] By acquiring exclusive rights to potentially newsworthy stories solely to suppress publication, outlets engaging in this tactic prioritize private interests—such as those of high-profile clients—over the dissemination of information relevant to public discourse, effectively subverting the journalistic duty to inform citizens about matters of accountability and transparency.^[1] SPJ National President Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins explicitly condemned catch and kill as "clearly unethical" in April 2024, highlighting its incompatibility with standards requiring independence and the avoidance of conflicts of interest, real or perceived.^[10] Under the SPJ code, journalists must "act independently" by refusing subservience to vested interests, yet catch and kill transforms media entities into proxies for suppression, where payments from subjects of the stories create direct financial incentives to withhold facts that could influence elections, reputations, or public safety—violating the imperative to disclose unavoidable conflicts.^[56] This breach erodes accountability, as the code further demands transparency in methods and corrections for errors or omissions, principles undermined when stories are buried indefinitely without public acknowledgment.^[56] Critics argue that catch and kill fundamentally undermines the public's right to know, a cornerstone of ethical journalism that positions the free flow of information as essential to democratic oversight.^[1] Ethical norms from organizations like the Freedom Forum emphasize that while tabloid practices may skirt legality, they conflict with standards-based journalism's commitment to minimizing harm without sacrificing truth-telling; suppressing verified allegations, such as those involving misconduct by public figures, deprives audiences of evidence needed for informed judgment, fostering opacity in areas like political campaigns or corporate ethics.^[1] Instances tied to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, where stories were caught and killed to shield candidates, exemplify how this tactic distorts public information ecosystems, prompting calls for heightened scrutiny of outlets that deviate from truth-seeking imperatives.^[12]

Arguments for Privacy and Market Freedom

Catch and kill practices have been defended as a legitimate exercise of privacy rights, enabling individuals to contractually limit the public disclosure of personal information, particularly regarding consensual private conduct that does not implicate criminality or public office corruption. Such arrangements function similarly to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) routinely employed to shield reputations and confidential details from unwarranted exposure, thereby preserving autonomy over one's narrative in matters lacking overriding public interest.^[57]^[58] David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified in 2024 that these tactics were standard in tabloid journalism to protect personal relationships and prevent competitors from publishing damaging stories, framing them as protective measures rather than suppression for illicit ends.^[18] From a First Amendment standpoint, the "killing" aspect—choosing not to publish after acquisition—aligns with the constitutional right against compelled speech, allowing media entities to exercise editorial discretion without governmental mandate to disseminate acquired content. Legal scholarship argues that this non-publication decision falls under core press freedoms, as courts have historically shielded editorial choices from interference, even when motivated by private interests.^[12]^[11] The acquisition phase, or "catching," can similarly be viewed as a commercial transaction protected as expressive conduct, provided it does not cross into fraud or extortion, underscoring that private parties hold no affirmative duty to amplify potentially harmful narratives.^[59] Advocates for market freedom contend that catch and kill embodies voluntary contracting in the information economy, where sellers of stories negotiate terms with buyers, and media outlets retain full latitude to forgo publication as a business prerogative, unencumbered by obligations to maximize disclosure. This approach avoids the pitfalls of regulatory overreach, which could erode contractual liberty and invite state censorship of private deals under the guise of transparency.^[12] Prohibiting such practices, per this view, would distort market incentives, compelling inefficient publication mandates and undermining the competitive dynamics that allow outlets to prioritize stories based on perceived value or alignment with strategic goals.^[60]

Broader Impacts

Effects on Media Landscape

The practice of catch and kill has undermined the free flow of information in the media ecosystem by enabling powerful individuals and entities to suppress potentially newsworthy stories, thereby distorting public discourse and accountability mechanisms. In the case of American Media Inc. (AMI), the publisher of the National Enquirer, executives coordinated with Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign to acquire and bury negative stories, including a $150,000 payment to Karen McDougal for rights to her account of an alleged affair with Trump, explicitly to prevent publication. This arrangement, detailed in federal investigations, contributed to an information vacuum during the election cycle, where voters lacked access to details that could have influenced perceptions of candidates.^[61]^[4] AMI's non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York in August 2018 admitted that such tactics aided Trump's campaign, marking a rare prosecutorial acknowledgment of media suppression's electoral implications.^[61] These revelations have eroded trust in journalistic institutions, as evidenced by public and expert critiques highlighting how catch and kill prioritizes proprietary control over transparency, conflicting with core ethical standards like those of the Society of Professional Journalists, which mandate seeking truth and reporting it without undue influence.^[1] The tactic's exposure, particularly through David Pecker's April 2024 testimony in Trump's New York hush money trial, amplified perceptions of media complicity with political interests, further fueling skepticism toward tabloid and even mainstream outlets perceived as susceptible to similar pressures.^[18] Scholarly analysis posits that such practices create "catch and kill jurisdiction" effects, where suppression not only stifles immediate reporting but also deters investigative pursuits by smaller or independent media lacking financial resources to compete in story acquisition.^[11] In investigative journalism, catch and kill has spurred a fragmented landscape, encouraging reliance on alternative channels like books and podcasts for suppressed narratives, as seen in Ronan Farrow's 2019 book detailing NBC News' internal resistance to his Harvey Weinstein reporting amid broader industry entanglements. This shift has intensified debates over media ethics and First Amendment boundaries, with proponents arguing it protects privacy while critics contend it enables systemic cover-ups that disadvantage public-interest reporting.^[62]^[12] Consequently, the practice has prompted calls for enhanced disclosure requirements in media transactions, though legal hurdles persist, potentially accelerating the decline of traditional gatekeepers in favor of decentralized, less suppressible platforms.^[1]

Influence on Public Information and Accountability

Catch and kill practices obstruct the flow of information pertinent to public figures, thereby impeding accountability for actions that could influence societal or electoral judgments. In political contexts, these tactics have been employed to shield candidates from scrutiny during critical periods, as evidenced by the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. American Media Inc. (AMI), publisher of the National Enquirer, acquired exclusive rights to stories damaging to Donald Trump, such as former Playboy model Karen McDougal's account of an alleged extramarital affair, with the explicit intent of suppressing publication to aid his candidacy.^[63] David Pecker, AMI's former chairman and CEO, testified under oath in Donald Trump's April 2024 New York hush money trial that this "catch and kill" strategy formed part of a broader agreement with Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen to identify and bury negative narratives before they reached competitors.^[18]^[37] Pecker confirmed suppressing at least two such stories, including McDougal's, for $150,000 and another involving a Trump Tower doorman's claim of a child out of wedlock, actions he described as benefiting Trump's electoral prospects by denying voters access to potentially relevant personal conduct details.^[64]^[10] This suppression distorts public discourse by creating information asymmetries, where influential entities control narratives to evade consequences, as seen when AMI coordinated with Trump's campaign to preempt stories that might "embarrass or hurt" it.^[65] Such maneuvers undermine democratic accountability, as electorates cannot fully assess candidates' character or associations without complete disclosure, potentially altering voter perceptions and outcomes.^[4] Beyond elections, catch and kill erodes trust in media institutions, positioning outlets as extensions of private agendas rather than impartial informants, which conflicts with core journalistic ethics of transparency and public service.^[1] Tabloid executives like Pecker acknowledged operating without formal rules constraining suppression, highlighting how these practices prioritize market-driven secrecy over societal obligations.^[19] In non-political spheres, similar dynamics delay exposure of misconduct, as with Harvey Weinstein's efforts to bury sexual assault allegations through media proxies, prolonging unaccountability until external probes circumvented the barriers.^[1] Collectively, catch and kill fosters a chilling effect on reporting, deterring sources and journalists wary of co-optation or reprisal, and diminishes overall informational integrity essential for holding power to account. This opacity not only shields individuals but also weakens institutional checks, as suppressed facts evade public vetting and correction.^[12]

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How David Pecker strong-armed Tiger Woods into Men's Fitness cover
Apr 26, 2024 · Tiger Woods was caught in sex romp with mistress Mindy Lawton in his Escalade in 2007, years before his extramarital affairs became public.
[31]
'Catch and kill': Tiger Woods, Jeff Bezos and the National Enquirer
Feb 13, 2019 · Inside, readers were treated to a 12-page exclusive sit-down that included umpteen photos of his work-out routine, details about a diet that ...
[32]
Former tabloid publisher details actions on behalf of Trump ... - NPR
Apr 26, 2024 · He said the tabloid purchased negative stories about celebrities, say, golfer Tiger Woods, and promised to kill the story to get Woods to agree ...Missing: catch | Show results with:catch
[33]
Trump focused on campaign, not family, in 'catch and kills,' witness ...
Apr 25, 2024 · Pecker said that he used photos of golfer Tiger Woods having an extramarital affair to persuade him to give an interview and cover photo for ...<|separator|>
[34]
David Pecker gave prosecutors just what they were looking for in ...
Apr 25, 2024 · David Pecker, a key witness in the Manhattan trial, testified that he agreed to execute “catch and kill” deals expressly in service of helping Trump's 2016 ...
[35]
Testimony of David Pecker - Famous Trials
Pecker tells his editor at the National Enquirer, Dylan Howard, that American Media (AMI) will not buy the story, that he's paid enough already to kill stories…
[36]
The first 'catch and kill': Pecker's purchase of a rumor about Trump ...
Apr 23, 2024 · Pecker described the first “catch and kill” the National Enquirer executed in the lead-up to the 2016 election by paying a Trump Tower doorman for a story he ...
[37]
Trump trial: Publisher says he suppressed negative news - BBC
Apr 23, 2024 · "He provides the backdrop for how the whole 'catch and kill' scheme came to be, the players involved, and the timing as it related to Trump's ...
[38]
Trump Trial: David Pecker said he'd be Trump's 'eyes and ears'
Apr 23, 2024 · He is expected to return to the witness stand when the trial resumes on Thursday. National Enquirer paid doorman to kill story, Pecker testified.<|control11|><|separator|>
[39]
Donald Trump, a Playboy Model, and a System for Concealing ...
Feb 16, 2018 · Ronan Farrow on an affair between Donald Trump and the Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal that was concealed following a financial deal ...
[40]
At a glance: The three hush money cases in Trump indictment
Apr 4, 2023 · The prosecutor also cited the case of Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who received $150,000 from American Media after claiming she had a ...
[41]
Who is Karen McDougal and how is she connected to ... - ABC News
Apr 29, 2024 · A former Playboy model, Karen McDougal has alleged she had a 10-month affair with Donald Trump in 2006, a story that the tabloid National Enquirer allegedly ...
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AMI's FEC fine - Live Updates - Politico
Apr 25, 2024 · The agreement, dated Sept. 20, 2018, states AMI made an illegal campaign donation to Trump by paying Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal the ...
[43]
National Enquirer owner admits to 'catch and kill' payment to ex ...
Dec 12, 2018 · The publisher of National Enquirer has said it coordinated with Donald Trump's presidential campaign to pay a Playboy model $150,000 in hush ...
[44]
Tabloid Company's Admission Shows New Peril for Trump's Circle
Dec 12, 2018 · Under the deal, AMI admitted it worked with the campaign to kill stories “about the presidential candidate's relationships with women” and ...
[45]
Ronan Farrow: 'Catch And Kill' Tactics Protected Both Weinstein And ...
Oct 15, 2019 · In his new book, Catch and Kill, Farrow writes about the extreme tactics Weinstein allegedly used in an attempt to keep him from reporting the story.Missing: digital age
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https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/10/how-nbc-killed-its-weinstein-story
[47]
David Pecker describes 'catch and kill' stories at Trump trial
Apr 25, 2024 · David Pecker described his “catch and kill” operations for Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiger Woods and Mark Wahlberg at Donald Trump's hush money trial Thursday.<|separator|>
[48]
Should Catch-and-Kill Agreements Be Enforceable? - Dorf on Law
Apr 6, 2023 · To be sure, a rule allowing most NDAs but not catch-and-kill NDAs would be relatively easy to evade: once the catcher catches the story, the ...
[49]
[PDF] mcdougal-complaint-exhibits.pdf - The New York Times
Mar 20, 2018 · McDougal brings this lawsuit seeking a judicial declaration that her agreement with AMI is void due to both fraud and illegality. The agreement ...Missing: ruling | Show results with:ruling
[50]
[PDF] Shedding Light on Secret Settlements: An Empirical Study of ...
Jan 1, 2025 · California's STAND Act, adopted in 2018, targets secrecy in sex discrimination, harassment, and abuse cases, restricting secret settlements.
[51]
A guide to unique terms used at Trump's New York criminal trial
May 5, 2024 · The Federal Election Commission fined the company $187,500, declaring that the McDougal deal was a “prohibited corporate in-kind contribution.”.<|separator|>
[52]
National Enquirer owner fined for illegal Trump campaign aid - PBS
Jun 2, 2021 · A federal election watchdog fined the publisher of the National Enquirer $187500 for a payment it made to keep under wraps a story about ...
[53]
National Enquirer publisher fined $187,500 for Trump hush money ...
Jun 2, 2021 · The FEC found that the cash the tabloid paid to keep Karen McDougal quiet about her alleged affair with Donald Trump was an unlawful ...<|separator|>
[54]
Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Eight ...
Aug 21, 2018 · Michael Cohen pleads guilty in Manhattan federal court to eight counts, including criminal tax evasion and campaign finance violations.
[55]
Cohen pleads guilty, says he paid hush money at Trump's direction
Aug 22, 2018 · Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to eight counts of tax evasion, bank fraud ...
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SPJ's Code of Ethics | Society of Professional Journalists
Sep 6, 2014 · The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by explanations and position papers that address changing journalistic practices.Missing: violations catch kill
[57]
Can NDAs Violate the First Amendment? - Freedom Forum
Reasons for NDAs include protecting financial information like trade secrets, maintaining privacy ... What Is Catch and Kill Journalism? Unforgettable Stories and ...
[58]
The catch and kill of non-disclosure agreements? New UK guidance
Nov 21, 2024 · New UK guidance states NDAs are improper if they prevent reporting misconduct, cooperation with investigations, or legal disclosures, but the ...
[59]
[PDF] Does the First Amendment Protect Buying Speech To Bury It?
In order to determine whether the First Amendment protects catch and kill, it may be useful to divide the practice into two discrete activi- ties: first, ...
[60]
Catch and Kill: Can tabloids hide behind the First Amendment?
Apr 1, 2019 · First Amendment scholars and veteran journalists agree catch and kill is unethical and scoff at the notion that it might be considered ...
[61]
AP sources: National Enquirer's safe held damaging Trump stories
Aug 23, 2018 · He also rebuffed any suggestion that America Media Inc., or AMI, had leverage over the president because of its catch-and-kill practices. “AMI ...Missing: consequences | Show results with:consequences
[62]
Ronan Farrow Depicts a Chilling Cover-up at NBC - The Cut
Oct 11, 2019 · The reveal in Catch and Kill is not that there are corrupt people; it's that corrupt people are in control of our media, politics, and ...
[63]
How the National Enquirer boosted Trump and smeared his ...
Apr 24, 2024 · A New York court has heard how the tabloid deployed a practice known as 'catch and kill' to aid Trump in 2016.
[64]
Trump put at center of "catch and kill" scheme by Ex-National ... - Axios
Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker told jurors Tuesday how he would suppress stories critical of former President Trump ...
[65]
Was catching and killing McDougal's story an effort to influence the ...
Apr 25, 2024 · David Pecker gave prosecutors just what they were looking for in Trump hush money testimony. He linked the “catch and kill” agreements to ...