Looking for journalistic integrity at the Washington Post may be about as fruitful as searching for unicorns.
Recently, the Post offered lobbyists and association executives an “off-the-record, non-confrontational” chunk of access to Obama’s administration, members of Congress, and of course, the Post’s reporters/editors. And, you could do this for the low, low bargain price of 25K to 250K, of course.
They even sent a nifty little flier out around town that had this cutesy little call to action on it:
“Underwriting Opportunity : An evening with the right people can alter the debate. 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.”
Katherine Weymouth is the publisher and CEO of the post. And, when the crap hit the fan about this event, she said she was “shocked and dismayed” that her marketing department was selling spots for something like this. At her home, no less.
And, just as a side note here, the Post lost over $19 million last quarter.
Um, desperate much?
Of course, Ms. Weymouth’s denial just adds fuel to the fire. Is she denying it because she really had no idea that she was hosting a party at her house for a bunch of lobbyists and Obama drones? Or is she denying it because she was caught? The phrases “journalistic integrity” and “moral bankruptcy” and “breathtaking arrogance” come up in Roger Kimball’s blog entry that discusses this joke of an event. And, I’d say that all of these phrases are quite apropos.
Way to add to the stereotype of the absolute joke that is the mainstream media, Washington Post. Bravo.
