MADISON, Wis. -- A slew of community groups are calling a new advertising strategy at the Wisconsin State Journal disgusting, but the newspaper claims it would never compromise its credibility.

Some non-profit groups blasted the city's largest newspaper Wednesday, upset the organization's top brass has guaranteed in writing to meet at least six times a year with businesses that buy $25,000 worth of advertising, News 3 reported.

The advertising is for the newspaper's new "Capital Region Business Journal."

Each $25,000 sponsor was also asked to sit on an advisory panel for the newspaper, News 3 reported.

"The idea that the Wisconsin State Journal is now selling rights to speak with their staff, to speak with their editorial board is just disgusting and something that quite frankly we and especially our clients cannot afford to do," said Lisa Subek, of the Benefits Advocacy Team of Dane County.

The newspaper's publisher James Hopson said, "We do not sell access to the State Journal. We give it away freely."

The newspaper's editor, Ellen Foley, said the new advertising strategy won't change anything.

"I am not going to let anyone unduly influence our journalism ... and our effort to be fair and balanced," she said.

The newspaper's managers said community leaders will also sit on the new magazine's advisory board and that anyone could apply. Hopson also said the newspaper would set up a separate community advisory board.