EPO People Power - Part V - The European Media is Practically Dead When It Comes to Covering European Patent Office (EPO) Corruption
This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "gatekeeping"
Also see: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV
Media in Europe has become extremely disappointing. It is, for instance, deliberately turning a blind eye to what happens in Europe's second-largest institution, the European Patent Office.
Why do I say "deliberately"? Because I know. I heard and saw things.
Earlier this month one journalist in a major publisher wrote to me: "Good morning. No, I don't have any knowledge of the scandal. But if you can provide me with more information on the matter, including published news or documents, I would be very grateful. Best regards."
"7 years ago you published [this]," I told him (yes, people can figure out his name now). "Campinos has since then brought many of his friends to EPO. The rumours about them using cocaine were affirmed weeks ago when one of them was busted with cocaine. And the EPO is trying to cover this up. Would you need more pointers? I can also explain over the phone if that suits you better."
He didn't even bother responding to me. That silence alone says a lot.
"Media inquiry: EPO drugs," said another journalist (in the subject line), who had contacted me out of the blue (apparently some people inside the EPO asked him why he had not covered the scandal).
To quote:
Dear Mr Schestowitz,I’m a reporter for EU news website [redacted] in Brussels. I am contacting you as I’d like to talk to you about your recent articles about Luis Berenguer and the EPO, which I stumbled upon after receiving an anonymous tip-off about the BILD article.
"IFF [if and only if] you do speak with him," an associate remarked, "then it could be a good opportunity to warn of software patents. That's why the European Patent Office coverage is relevant in the first place, if I understand correctly."
We did speak about it over the phone, but no actual coverage ever came out of it. He did, however, warn that might happen; he said that SLAPPs were common. So my guess his, someone above him blocked publication.
That sort of sums up where European media/press stands. It should be noted that the above news site "in Brussels" receives money from Bill Epsteingate (an American). █