Organisation: Reed Elsevier / HMV

Click here for full-size graph

Analysis and commentary by Echo Research.

The Lancet spoke in the quietly respectable tones expected from a leading scientific journal, the "bible of the world's medical industry"(Times, 9/9). Yet when its September 9th Editorial "respectfully ask[ed] Reed Elsevier to divest itself of all business interests that threaten human, and especially civilian, health and well-being"(The Business, 9/9), there was little doubt in commentators' minds over the severity of the request. "Lancet slams own publisher for arms link"headlined DeHavilland, (9/9), while The Independent asserted "'Lancet' attacks owner over arms"(9/9).

The messages were clear, and far from favourable for publisher Reed Elsevier. The Lancet editors, board members, contributors and readers were "deeply troubled"(Lancet, 9/9) by the recent discovery of its publisher's role as host to Europe's largest military exhibition (DSEi), through subsidary Spearhead Exhibitions.

Reed Elsevier remained steadfast in its support of its wider business interests, however. The publisher's reply to the criticsms upheld in The Lancet's editorial and 'open letter' was both succinct and unapologetic. The arms exhibition, it stated, was closely regulated and in "compliance with the law".Reed Elsevier's view was that the defence industry was "central to the preservation of freedom and national security"(SJ Cowden - Reed Elsevier, The Lancet, 9/9).