(JOURNALISM) using flattery to gain access to sources. The phrase is usually used in the context of White House or Congressional press corps, who use
fulsome praise of high-ranking officials whose favor they need. Usually, officials like to be publicly represented as magnificent, selfless,
tireless public servants; in exchange for such blurbs, they may invite specific reporters to exclusive events, thereby boosting the
reporter's status.
It's actually been a feature of the business press for ages.
Example:
Since the
financial crisis of 2008, business reporters have tended to write dismissively of bank executives. Six years ago they were likely to have written
a beat sweetener about some CEO who was now shithead-of-the week.