Journalism has always been a competitive trade. But now the Financial Times has taken it one step further. The business newspaper has set up eBay auctions for readers to pitch bids in the hope of winning a quiet dinner with one of its 25 star journalists in a high-end restaurant. Among the revered list are some journalistic heavy hitters such as Gillian Tett and Martin Wolf. And, in keeping with the Christmas spirit, all proceeds go to a charitable cause.