Weymouth: WaPo launches internal review (WaPoGate - Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

Politico.com ^ | July 6, 2009 | Michael Calderone

[abb]

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."

Brauchli told POLITICO Thursday that the a controversial flier publicizing a July 21 event at Weymouth's house ignored the parameters laid out by the newsroom. According to the flier sent to lobbyists, attendees spending at least $25,000 could get an off-the-record meeting with the Post's publisher, editor, health care reporters and Obama administration officials.

Full memo after the jump.

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

[abb]

Credit is due to FReeper maggief for coining the term "WaPoGate." It works.

[abb]

ping

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http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/not_just_wapo_atlantics_corporate-sponsored_salons.php
Not Just WaPo: Atlantic’s Corporate-Sponsored “Salons” Tout “Private Conversations” With Top Journos, Lawmakers

http://medianation.blogspot.com/2009/07/slideshow-for-dowd-plagiarism.html
Slideshow for Dowd plagiarism discussion

[Kansas58]

How about we get someone in Congress to propose a TAX!

A TAX on NEWSPRINT!

Whereas the production of newspapers causes trees to be cut down, hauled by polluting trucks to polluting paper mills, and hauled from paper mills to publishers and

Whereas the production of newspapers requires toxic ink and solvents and energy wasting machinery and

Whereas the distribution of newspapers requires the use of dirty internal combustion engines and

Whereas a large portion of every landfill is used for discarded newspapers,

Therefore:

Be it resolved that a Newsprint tax, of $1,000.00 per pound, be charged to EVERY newspaper with a daily subscription, within the United States!
________________________________________
We should get some Republican to propose THIS as an amendment to any “cap and trade” or “carbon tax” proposal that comes up!
Maybe we can make it like “Cap and Trade” and use the revenue generated, from this tax on dirty dinosaur newspapers, to subsidize a tax credit for home computers and digital devices?
Or, we could use the money to subsidize talk radio! Well, those guys really don’t need any help!

[spald]

This is like Hitler formally asking Hans Frank, the Governor of occupied Poland, whether it’s OK to start gassing Jews.

[Carley]

ComPooGate

[abb]

http://www.theawl.com/2009/07/what-are-the-right-and-wrong-ways-to-get-access-to-the-washington-post
What Are the Right and Wrong Ways to Get Access to the Washington Post?

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/media_events/before_the_scandal_wapo_publisher_weymouth_talked_new_revenue_streams_at_aspen_ideas_fest_120816.asp
Before The Scandal, WaPo Publisher Weymouth Talked New Revenue Streams At Aspen Ideas Fest

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/07/06/lets-lay-off-the-washington-post-already/
Let’s lay off the Washington Post already

[abb]

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/06/what-katharine-weymouth-doesnt-know-about-jurassic-journalism/
What Katharine Weymouth Doesn’t Know about Jurassic Journalism

http://harpers.org/archive/2009/07/hbc-90005300
Other Pay-to-Play Schemes at the Washington Post?

[Zakeet]

Katharine Weymouth informed staff ... 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."

This is hogwash.

Katharine Bouchage Weymouth is a graduate of Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford Law School. As such, it is logical to assume she knew exactly what she was doing when she planned her money for access party.

Katharine is also Katharine Graham's granddaughter (and namesake). Her family owns the ComPost. As such, like Pinch Sultzberger at the NY Times, she will not face any disciplinary proceedings for her actions.

Finally, the term "compromise our journalism" is meaningless since it presumes there is something of value and some applicable standards of excellence which can, in fact, be compromised.

As a result, I read her whole statement as, "I'm sorry I got caught. Next time, I'll be more careful. But I will never, ever, relinquish the power of my news rag to influence government to adopt my liberal agenda."

[tobyhill]

I just want to know which Officials in Obama’s White House had agreed to attend.

[Jackson57]

I’m sure this “internal review” will return with findings that there was no wrong doing. Much like the Obama campaign reviewing it’s own fundraising activities ... “we did nothing wrong ... “.

[Jackson57]

You’re absolutely right!! THAT’S the important question. We know the media is in the backpocket of Obama, but who in the administration is in bed with the media? And do they have to declare the money earned. AND is the money earned while on government time?

[StAnDeliver]

Katherine -- you're still a Media Whore.

[abb]

AFAIK, these are the only two government officials who have been named.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-washington-post3-2009jul03,0,639509.story

Rep. Jim Cooper’s office said the Tennessee Democrat received an invitation this week to attend a dinner on July 21 at the house of Post Publisher Katharine Weymouth. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, a Maine Republican, was also among those asked to attend.

[Malesherbes]

Oh darn! I had so looked forward to buying access to the WaPo.

[abb]

http://www.observer.com/2009/media/new-rules-times-company-cellphones
New Rules for Times Company Cell Phones

[abb]

Oh darn! I had so looked forward to buying access to the WaPo.

Myself. I was only going to pay for a nooner. Wonder what that would go for?

[Billthedrill]

I confess I haven't the slightest idea of what basis Weymouth could possibly deny what was clearly being advertised. Access to these salons - there were to be eleven of them - was package-priced at $250,000, for which a "sponsor" could send two participants. Individual salons were to be priced at $25,000 (buy 10, get one free!). What that money purchased was a sit-down with influential policy-makers and journalists, if there is a distinction.

How that could be considered anything other than selling access to power absolutely baffles me. It is certainly a presence beyond the means of ordinary citizens. Weymouth's impassioned insistence that it isn't what it looks like is simply not the case - it is what it looks like.

What is most curious about the affair is her equally impassioned insistence that this, or something like it, is common practice in other organizations similar to hers. I'd love to know just how extensive that is. Perhaps an enterprising journalist might find that a proper subject for investigative journalism. It might be Pulitzer material, but he or she could count on never attending one of these affairs again themselves. That may be why no one has.

[abb]

The State-Run Media and the Political Class have been doing this dance forever, to one degree or another. It happens in every county and city in America with the local media and the local Power Structure.

Instead of ‘Salons,’ the locals use their churches and country clubs to access power.

[iopscusa]

Stop, Listen, What’s that sound...every comment @ Politico regarding this WaPo article was very negative about the paper and their love affair with the little dicktator!