View Full Version : Washington Post journalists available for purchase
Team Sergeant
07-02-2009, 14:49
Left-wing newspaper caught in the act, Washington Post journalists available for purchase......;) Bet this is going to leave a mark.....I wonder if obama was going to be there....:rolleyes:
Washington Post Cancels Plans to Hold Costly Dinner for Lobbyists
The newspaper had circulated a flier offering lobbyists and organization executives a chance to meet with the Beltway insiders at the home of publisher Katharine Weymouth, for an "off-the-record dinner and discussion" -- for a fee. After an uproar, The Washington Post canceled plans for the session.
After a newsroom uproar, The Washington Post has canceled plans to hold a high-dollar dinner at the publisher's home at which the company would have charged guests $25,000 and up for access to top officials in Washington.
Politico.com first reported Thursday on the dinner, saying the newspaper had circulated a flier offering lobbyists and organization executives a chance to meet with Beltway insiders at the home of publisher Katharine Weymouth, for an "off-the-record dinner and discussion."
The flier called the discussion an "exclusive opportunity to participate in the health care reform debate among the select few who will actually get it done." The "few" included Obama administration officials, congressional leaders and Post reporters and editors. The fee was $25,000 per "sponsor," and $250,000 for an annual sponsorship.
But Post editorial executives apparently did not know about the dinner, and promptly canceled it.
"The flier circulated this morning came out of a business division for conferences and events, and the newsroom was unaware of such communication," Post spokesperson Kris Coratti told FOX News. "It went out before it was properly vetted, and completely misrepresented what the company's vision for these dinners were, which were meant to be independent, policy-oriented events for newsmakers."
Coratti said the newsroom would "never participate" in such a dinner.
Post executives expressed frustration at the plans, according to an account by Post media reporter Howard Kurtz.
"I'm disappointed," Weymouth told Kurtz. "This should never have happened."
She said that the newspaper would not do anything to "impugn the integrity of the newsroom."
Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli told Kurtz he was "appalled."
"It suggests that access to Washington Post journalists was available for purchase," he said. "We do not offer access to the newsroom for money."
Newspaper executives told Kurtz the fliers appeared to be put out by overzealous marketing employees.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he didn't know whether anyone at the White House was invited to the dinner, but that he didn't think anybody accepted such an invitation.
The invitation "would likely exceed what the (legal) counsel would feel appropriate," Gibbs said.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/02/report-washington-post-charges-g-access-officials/
Based on everything I read in the MSM over the past eight years, I thought this type behavior was only a Republican sort of deal - wasn't all this supposed to end with the election of Democrat-led Executive and Legislative bodies? - I'm shocked and sorely disappointed - I may quit believing in Santa Claus and begin believing in Al Gore. Well - maybe not go that far - but I'm beginning to feel let down - again. Politics is sure a fickle mistress. :rolleyes:
Richard's $.02 :munchin
According to a report posted at Politico.com available here (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24441.html), the specific event has been canceled.
However, the Washington Post's publisher, Ms. Katharine Weymouth, holds to the concept of a newspaper hosting events that sound similiar in aim. She said:
We do believe that there is a viable way to expand our expertise into live conferences and events that simply enhances what we do - cover Washington for Washingtonians and those interested in Washington....And we will begin to do live events in ways that enhance our reputation and in no way call into question our integrity.
In my mind, the key word here is "viable". Does Ms. Weymouth mean events that are profitable in their own right? Or does she mean events that pay for themselves and the pay off comes as the events widen the paper's readership by enhancing its reputation?
Even if one grants her the benefit of the doubt--a difficult exercise given the fact that the initial idea was ever planned and canceled only after the public uproar--is this an appropriate way for a publisher of to market an American broadsheet? Ultimately, this practice will mean that a newspaper will be staging events which it can then cover as news and scoop the competition. (Which means that the Washington Post's business plan is to become the Hollywood Foreign Press.:rolleyes:)
Left-wing newspaper caught in the act, Washington Post journalists available for purchase......;) Bet this is going to leave a mark.....I wonder if obama was going to be there....:rolleyes:
"However, the Washington Post's publisher, Ms. Katharine Weymouth, holds to the concept of a newspaper hosting events that sound similiar in aim.
She said:"We do believe that there is a viable way to expand our expertise..."
I stopped reading after this sentence...It just goes to show that no matter what your financial circumstances are, you just can't buy intelligence!:rolleyes:
Am with TS...hope this leaves a nice ugly mark!
Holly
The Washington Post has offered an apology.:rolleyes:
The source is here (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/04/AR2009070402253_pf.html).
A Letter to Our Readers
By Katharine Weymouth
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Dear Reader:
I want to apologize for a planned new venture that went off track and for any cause we may have given you to doubt our independence and integrity. A flier distributed last week suggested that we were selling access to power brokers in Washington through dinners that were to take place at my home. The flier was not approved by me or newsroom editors, and it did not accurately reflect what we had in mind. But let me be clear: The flier was not the only problem. Our mistake was to suggest that we would hold and participate in an off-the-record dinner with journalists and power brokers paid for by a sponsor. We will not organize such events. As publisher it is my job to ensure that we adhere to standards that are consistent with our integrity as a news organization. Last week, I let you, and the organization, down. The Washington Post remains committed, now and always, to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Nothing is more important to us than that, and nothing will shake that commitment.
So what happened? Like other media companies, The Post hosts conferences and live events that bring together journalists, government officials and other leaders for discussions of important topics. These events make news and inform their audiences. We had planned to extend this business to include smaller gatherings, a practice that has become common at other media companies.
From the outset, we laid down firm parameters to ensure that these events would be consistent with The Post's values. If the events were to be sponsored by other companies, everything would be at arm's length -- sponsors would have no control over the content of the discussions, and no special access to our journalists.
If our reporters were to participate, there would be no limits on what they could ask. They would have full access to participants and be able to use any information or ideas to further their knowledge and understanding of any issues under discussion. They would not be asked to invite other participants and would serve only as moderators.
When the flier promoting our first planned event to potential sponsors was released, it overstepped all these lines. Neither I nor anyone in our news department would have approved any event such as the flier described.
We have canceled the planned dinner. While I do believe there is a legitimate way to hold such events, to the extent that we hold events in the future, large or small, we will review the guidelines for them with The Post's top editors and make sure those guidelines are strictly followed. Further, any conferences or similar events The Post sponsors will be on the record.
We all make mistakes and hope to be forgiven for them. I apologize to our readers for the mistakes I made in this case.
We remain committed to you, our readers. We remain committed to the highest standards of integrity. And while we will continue to pursue new lines of business, we will never allow those new avenues to compromise our integrity.
In the meantime, I hope that we can continue to count you as a reader while we promise to continue to bring you the news as it develops, unbiased and with the best reporting and editing we can offer.
Yours respectfully,
Katharine Weymouth
Publisher and CEO, The Washington Post
Ms. Weymouth insists that these "new avenues" won't compromise the paper's integrity yet, that journey has already seen the paper's internal review process side stepped, a dinner planned then canceled, and, above all else, the paper has legitimized intellectually and ethically--at least to its own high standards--the notion of selling access to its journalists.
Team Sergeant
07-05-2009, 13:53
The Washington Post has offered an apology.:rolleyes:
The source is here (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/04/AR2009070402253_pf.html).
Ms. Weymouth insists that these "new avenues" won't compromise the paper's integrity yet, that journey has already seen the paper's internal review process side stepped, a dinner planned then canceled, and, above all else, the paper has legitimized intellectually and ethically--at least to its own high standards--the notion of selling access to its journalists.
Ms. Weymouth & Washington Post has no integrity....
If I were one of the Post's journalists I'd quit and find a new job quick.
Ms. Weymouth & Washington Post, selling journalists and "Obama administration officials" at $25,000 a pop!
What ever happened to just "reporting" the news?
Team Sergeant
greenberetTFS
07-05-2009, 14:03
What ever happened to just "reporting" the news?/quote/TS
Good question....... :confused: The newspaper business isn't doing that anymore.why? :rolleyes:
Big Teddy :munchin
The Reaper
07-05-2009, 18:34
J School grads of the 60s and 70's bought into the whole "activisist journalism" thing and failed to learn that opinions should be kept in the op-ed pages.
This has been to the great benefit of liberal politicians and led to the demise of print journalism, and its integrity.
TR
Source is here (http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0709/WaPo_flier_wasnt_only_salon_offer_.html?showall).
July 06, 2009
Categories: Washington Post
WaPo flier wasn't only 'salon' offer
Shortly after POLITICO reported Thursday on a Washington Post Co. flier offering underwriting opportunities for upcoming "salons," both executive editor Marcus Brauchli and publisher Katharine Weymouth mentioned that the flier had not been properly vetted.
Discussion of the flier continued in yesterday's note to readers, where Weymouth said it "did not accurately reflect what we had in mind." And the flier was also the subject of the paper's own piece on the incident Sunday: "Post Publisher Acknowledges Mistakes: Weymouth Says Rushed Planning Led to Inaccurate Flier on Policy Dinners."
Washington Post publisher Katharine Weymouth said yesterday that a hasty time frame, haphazard planning and miscommunication led to the release of a promotional flier that inaccurately described the newspaper's plans for a series of sponsored "salons" with influential insiders.
"We decided to throw this particular event very recently," Weymouth said in an interview. "We said, 'Let's not wait. Let's pick a date and let's go for it.' When you rush like that, you make mistakes."
But as far as materials go in preparing for the July 21 event, there was more than just a hastily-prepared,one-page flier. POLITICO has obtained a detailed, word document, sent out more than two weeks ago, which goes into greater specifics about what potential sponsors could have received.
And now that the Post is undergoing an internal review into what went wrong, it's worth looking at all the materials sent out by the business side, and how there could have been such mis-communication with the newsroom over the parameters of this an event.
The Washington Post salons, according to this solicitation to potential underwriters, would "provide an intimate and informal dinner and discussion setting where leading policy makers and business leaders discuss issues, options and solutions relating to major international, national, local and cultural affairs with top Washington Post editors, columnists and journalists."
In addition to Weymouth and Brauchli, the dinner on the week of July 20 would include "other Washington Post health care editorial and reporting staff." (As I reported Thursday, Brauchli said he was attending, but didnt know other guests invited. Reporter Ceci Connolly also told POLITICO she would be invited).
Other invited guests, according to this offer, would include the following: "Congressional leaders at the forefront of building health care legislative initiatives," "administration and agency officials involved in creating health care policy,"leading researchers from key think-tanks and academic institutions, "hospital and medical group trade association representatives (may be an underwriter), "health care insurance trade association representatives (may be an underwriter), "patient advocate group representatives," and "corporate leaders in health care delivery, health care IT, and / or insurance (may be an underwriter)."
The salons, to be held up to 11 times annually (except in August), were slated to be two-and-a-half hour. off-the-record dinner discussions with no more than 20 participants. As for editorial involvement, the offer mentions the "executive editor, key section editor, beat reporter (optional)."
When reached by phone, Pelton referred this reporter to a Post spokesperson. That spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
UPDATE: Post spokesperson Kris Coratti responded: "This was a precursor to the flier for the events The Post has cancelled and the Publisher has apologized for."
The Washington Post
Health Care Salon – July, 2009
The Washington Post is seeking two underwriters to support its inaugural Salon Dinner on the topic of Health Care Reform. One evening during the week of July 20, 2009, The Washington Post will host a Salon dinner-discussion on the topic of U.S. health care reform and funding. Washington Post Salons, which are limited to 20 participants, are underwritten by two organizations each of which may send a senior representative to participate in the discussion.
Topics Discussed Will Include:
· Who pays for health insurance?
· The government’s role in the health insurance market
· Could there ever be a single-payer system in the U.S.?
· Should health insurance be taxed?
· Should there be a payment cap for health care providers?
Hosts and Discussion Leaders:
· Katharine Weymouth, CEO, Washington Post Media; Publisher, Washington Post’
· Marcus Brauchli, Executive Editor, Washington Post
· Other Washington Post health care editorial and reporting staff
Invited Guests Will Include:
· Congressional leaders at the forefront of building health care legislative initiatives
· Administration and agency officials involved in creating health care policy
· Leading researchers from key think-tanks and academic institutions
· Hospital and medical group trade association representatives (may be an underwriter)
· Health care insurance trade association representatives (may be an underwriter)
· Patient advocate group representatives
· Corporate leaders in health care delivery, health care IT, and / or insurance (may be an underwriter)
Why Underwrite a Washington Post Salon?
· Participate in an issues-based discussion as an equal at the table with key policy-makers
· Interact with core players in an off-the-record format
· Build key relationships in an informal setting
· Discuss critical topics of interest to you and your organization in a neutral environment with Washington Post news executives
· Acknowledgement in formal printed invitations and at the dinner of your underwriting role
Financial Support and Sponsor Involvement:
· Individual salon sponsorship offered at $25,000 per salon, per sponsor
· Investment of $250,000 provides sponsorship of an annual series of Salons
· Maximum of two sponsors per salon
· Underwriter CEO or Executive Director has a seat at the table
· Formal invitations clearly state that the dinner is underwritten by the sponsors
About Washington Post Salons
Washington Post Salons, held monthly in the home of Publisher and CEO Katharine Weymouth, provide an intimate and informal dinner and discussion setting where leading policy makers and business leaders discuss issues, options and solutions relating to major international, national, local and cultural affairs with top Washington Post editors, columnists and journalists.
The Washington Post is the media brand that sits at the intersection of business and policy. It engages in dialogue with readers, business leaders and Washington-area policy-makers and influencers through three platforms: The Washington Post newspaper and printed special reports; washingtonpost.com; and through a series of live, face-to-face conferences and roundtables.
Washington Post Conferences reflect up-to-the-minute thinking and analysis provided by The Washington Post newsroom. All conferences, including Salons, are editorially driven. Washington Post Conferences take The Washington Post newspaper and Web site and help them come alive.
Overall Salon Frequency:
· Up to 11 times annually, monthly except for August
Format:
· Two-and-a-half hour dinner discussions
· No more than 20 participants
· Discussion moderated by Washington Post editorial
Editorial Involvement:
· Executive editor, key section editor, beat reporter (optional)
· Discussion topics and scripts produced in conjunction with Washington Post Conferences
· Off-the-record
For Information on Sponsorship, Participating and Attending
· Charles Pelton
· [email and phone numbers redacted]
I think that this concept is much more developed than Ms. Weymouth's 'apology' would have readers believe. YMMV.
This is shaping up to be an example of the new media sticking it to the old.
Source is here (http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0709/Weymouth_WaPo_launches_internal_review.html).
July 06, 2009
Categories: Washington Post
Weymouth: WaPo launches internal review
Following her letter to reader's yesterday, Washington Post publisher Katharine Weymouth informed staff this afternoon, in a memo obtained by POLITICO, that general counsel Eric Lieberman will "review recent events to make sure that our business processes are consistent with, and will not in any way compromise, our journalism."
Weymouth also said that executive editor Marcus Brauchli and senior editor Milton Coleman will "codify parameters for Post newsroom participation in live events."
All:
I hope you had a chance to read my letter in Sunday’s paper. I wanted to let you know that I’ve asked Eric Lieberman, our General Counsel, to review recent events to make sure that our business processes are consistent with, and will not in any way compromise, our journalism. Simultaneously, I've asked Marcus and Milton Coleman to codify parameters for Post newsroom participation in live events. As we continue to pursue new and promising lines of business, these measures should help us conduct our business activities effectively and appropriately.
Katharine
The Reaper
07-07-2009, 09:28
Who was responsible for this and what actions have been taken to ensure that they do not do this again?
What did Katharine know and when?
Where are Woodward and Bernstein?
TR