Life as a patent examiner according to the EPO - paid-for article in the New Scientist

Fresh from publishing the thoughts of a former member of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office, Merpel just noticed this article: A day in the life of a patent examiner appearing in the New Scientist.

Merpel was immediately struck by the byline "The interview was produced by New Scientist in conjunction with the European Patent Office, which paid for it to be produced."  Need the EPO be paying for publication about the career path of an Examiner in order to attract suitable candidates?

Merpel wonders what readers think about the article itself, and whether the EPO should be paying for placement of such pieces.