“In response to requests for comment, The Post issued a statement that stopped short of canceling the event.
Kris Coratti, communications director of Washington Post Media, a division of The Washington Post Company, said: “The flier circulated this morning came out of a business division for conferences and events, and the newsroom was unaware of such communication. It went out before it was properly vetted, and this draft does not represent what the company’s vision for these dinners are, which is meant to be an independent, policy-oriented event for newsmakers.
“As written, the newsroom could not participate in an event like this. We do believe there is an opportunity to have a conferences and events business, and that The Post should be leading these conversations in Washington, big or small, while maintaining journalistic integrity. The newsroom will participate where appropriate.”
Brauchli, the executive editor, was named on the flier as one of the “Hosts and Discussion Leaders.”
How much pressure do you think the business division will put on the news room to give “favorable” coverage to those organizations and associations who pony up the $25 to $250 grand? This is, after all, an organization that's hemorrhaging money.
And that's exactly what the suits will tell the news room when they get on their high horse about their “journalistic ethics.” They'll tell them here's the choice: You can have your ethics, or you can have a job. Which is it going to be?
And we all know that somehow those troubled souls down in the news room will find a path to ease their consciences.
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.