Originally Posted by nsx

A company employee has divided loyalties. An FT moderator has loyalty only to FT members. It's impossible that a token gift would induce any moderator to act against the best interest of FT members.

Here's a better example of the issue. Suppose a company offers an FT moderator the chance to review and comment on a program change while the parameters of the change are still fluid. This can only be done under a non-disclosure agreement. Should the moderator agree?

I say yes. The chance to improve the program for all members outweighs any loss of ability to speculate on the changes before they occur.

You might not agree with my opinion, but regardless of that the decision will be made with the best interest of FT members being the only consideration. There is no conflict of interest. Perception of conflict is only possible from an absurdly jaundiced perspective. Or from that rare person who could be bribed by a $100 gift card to betray his fellow FTers.