frmichelin1-8, Exercise 1: Ownership and independence

Model answer (check the details):

Arguments for independence:
1. The owner earns its money from tyres, not from restaurants, so it has no need for fees from the places it rates.
2. The guide says that inspectors are anonymous, pay their own bills and visit more than once (Chapter 3).
3. A long-lived brand has a reason to protect its reputation for fairness.

Arguments against:
1. The guide is a marketing and brand asset, so growth and publicity may influence decisions about new editions and awards.
2. Funding from tourist bodies for some local editions (reported, and the company says it does not affect ratings) creates a possible incentive (check).
3. The company's accounts for the guide are not public, so outsiders cannot test its claims.

Assessment: neither side proves bias. Independence from restaurants is a different thing from independence from the owner's commercial interests. The best evidence would be a record of decisions that went against the company's interest, and a clear account of its funding.

Care: separate what is documented from what is inferred, and describe allegations as allegations.