Compromised? Florida newspapers get millions in BP-funded ads; Full page ads in Keys promoting BP’s image instead of paying claims

Florida has received $75 million to date from BP

Keys get BP money, Key West Citizen, June 26, 2010:

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council announced Friday it will receive $400,000 for an advertising campaign to counter the misconception that the Gulf oil spill is fouling Florida Keys beaches and waters.

The money is part of a $25 million grant BP has given the state for advertising.

"An amount of $400,000 is needed for advertising to counteract misconceptions regarding the viability of a Florida Keys vacation...

Good Morning Florida Keys, June 2010:

I look at BP's cheery full-page ad on page 8-A of [the] Key West Citizen. The cheery ad about what a great claims payer BP is. ...

Then, I wonder what... [the] Key West Citizen is doing, letting BP keep running it truly offensive full-page ads every day of the week, when the cost of those ads could be used to pay claims of Keys people against BP?

Then, I wonder why [the] Key West Citizen has not slammed BP for spending all of that money running full-page ads, instead of paying claims...