The Washington Post-Pimp? Paper Offers Lobbyists Access to Top Officials at Publisher's House

Photo of Tim Graham.
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Former Washington Post reporter Mike Allen has broken a shocking media-ethics story for the Politico about his old media home. The Post is offering lobbyists "off-the record dinner and discussion" with top congressional and administration officials for $25,000 a plate, first on the topic of health care. A copy of the invite reads:

"Underwriting Opportunity: An evening with the right people can alter the debate," says the one-page flier. "Underwrite and participate in this intimate and exclusive Washington Post Salon, an off-the-record dinner and discussion at the home of CEO and Publisher Katharine Weymouth. ... Bring your organization’s CEO or executive director literally to the table. Interact with key Obama administration and congressional leaders.…

“Spirited? Yes. Confrontational? No. The relaxed setting in the home of Katharine Weymouth assures it. What is guaranteed is a collegial evening, with Obama administration officials, Congress members, business leaders, advocacy leaders and other select minds typically on the guest list of 20 or less.…

“Offered at $25,000 per sponsor, per Salon. Maximum of two sponsors per Salon. Underwriters’ CEO or Executive Director participates in the discussion. Underwriters appreciatively acknowledged in printed invitations and at the dinner. Annual series sponsorship of 11 Salons offered at $250,000 … Hosts and Discussion Leaders ... Health-care reporting and editorial staff members of The Washington Post ... An exclusive opportunity to participate in the health-care reform debate among the select few who will actually get it done. ... A Washington Post Salon ... July 21, 2009 6:30 p.m."

As Allen explained:

"The astonishing offer is detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he feels it’s a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its “health care reporting and editorial staff."

The offer — which essentially turns a news organization into a facilitator for private lobbyist-official encounters — is a new sign of the lengths to which news organizations will go to find revenue at a time when most newspapers are struggling for survival.

—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.

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Media ethics?  What's that?

Media ethics?  What's that?

Is this really so

Is this really so shocking?  The old media abandoned ethical principles long ago. 

I'd be willing to bet this is only scratching the surface of many news organizations.

What about al NYT?

Pinch, the idiot of midtown Manhattan, must be in a rage this morning because he and his highly paid executive staff didn't think of this. I'm sure now they will try to outdo the Post.

sw... Glad I read some of

sw...

Glad I read some of the posts first.....you beat me to it, that is where my mind immediately went to also.

Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart

How could anyone doubt the

How could anyone doubt the ethics of the most ethical Administration evah. I mean even Judas was invited to the Last Supper, so why shouldn't sinners and publicans, i.e. lobbyists and CEOs, be verboten to meet with the One and/or his apostles? Do you think that after the One had raised nearly a billion dollars in donations for his Presidential run that he could be swayed by a mere pittance of $25,000? He and His Administration are far above such petty non Godlike concerns.  Just because unemployment is at 9.5 percent, a neocon plot no doubt, doesn't mean that people should not generously give or attend dinners at 25,000 a plate, which would barely fund one employee of each attendee per year. Isn't our President worthy of such oblations from his adoring public?

jessieH          

jessieH             WE need someone with a camcorder to film who shows up at this. This could be helpfull to know the names of the conspiritors. Then take it to FOX, the only station that will show it.                    Kicking a-s & taking names!

Rush is talking about this

Rush is talking about this now....and making some excellent points.

Like he just said, even Katherine Graham would be spinning in hher grave over this.

Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart

Now I just heard this event

Now I just heard this event has just been canceled...

Like he said Sally Quinn probably had a hissy fit....hehee

Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart

take away their credentials

Please explain to me why any reporter from this paper should get press credentials from any government body in this country.

THE MSM

officially died today.  Even the best spinmeister can't spin this stench. The MSM disgusts me.  I have no expectations for politicians to do the right thing.  The media failing it's citizens is far worse and unforgiveable.  Maybe Woodward can do a tell all book about the cesspool that is the washington compost.

The few  people who still subscribe to this rag MUST cancel their subscription today and let them loudly know why.