joe_schmoe said:
I see people all the time call it unethical to accept these gifts, yet no one ever seems to have a good explanation as to why, other than it's what they've been taught.
I notice no one has answered this question yet and I certainly don't have the answer. Your point about being taught it is wrong is very true, but the reason it is wrong is never explained.
If the magazine has already been published and circulated I don't have a problem with someone, even the writer, taking the tickets. The story is over with and what was written can't be changed at that point.
At my shop our D-1 college provides season tickets to all the sporting events. The publisher keeps them in his office and the entire staff is welcome to them on a first come, first serve basis. Most take advantage of this and sometimes tickets are given out at the yearly Christmas party. So if I get tickets this year, should I refuse them?