Pushing the boundaries of conflict of interest

The award of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract to Thomson Reuters pushes the boundaries of conflict of interest. Not surprising when commercial interests outweigh public interest and lofty ideals like media being the public watchdog.

Most of our learning on conflict of interest, protecting sources and safeguarding the public interest come from the Baron. Regretfully, that bastion is also collapsing. What happens if the ICE is corrupt? Who watches whom? ■