Posted on 07/02/2009 5:46:51 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
WashPost sells access, $25,000+ By: Mike Allen July 2, 2009 08:04 AM EST
For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives off the record, non-confrontational access to "those powerful few" Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the papers own reporters and editors.
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 its a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its health care reporting and editorial staff."
The offerwhich essentially turns a news organization into a facilitator for private lobbyist-official encountersis 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.
And it's a turn of the times that a lobbyist is scolding The Washington Post for its ethical practices.
"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 organizations CEO or executive director literally to the table. Interact with key Obama Administration and Congressional leaders
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Ping
You got that right on the nose. But mainstream media prostituted itself on the demoncRAT-controlled altar starting with the clintoonian admin & continuing with obozo the clown admin.
Brauchli, the executive editor, was named on the flier as one of the Hosts and Discussion Leaders.
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I don't see anything in that reply that indicates that they EVEN RECOGNIZE that this is WRONG and will not be done.
From the words, they will continue: WashPo reporters, WashPo editors, Obama administration employees and all.
Ah, yes, "journalistic integrity." The kind that allows a news organizations to sell access to elected officials from their Party. George Orwell would instantly recognize such a usage.
You are not being fair to DC steetwalkers.
I'm not sure why - but this is really funny in some off-beat quirky way. A journalist reading it would be wincing.
I think the Publisher's more like a pimp trying to force the newsroom to do and do and do and do and do a million Lewinskys.
For all the people they try to cover with some integrity.
She wanted to sell them... highest bidder and all. Kind of the the white Duke official - perv Dad - trying to sell his 5 year old adopted black son for "anything" goes rape parties.
Who knows - maybe the Washington Post boys will feel some empathy for the 5 year old now.
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