Another media outlet sells access to lobbyists [National Journal]

True/Slant ^

[RatherBiased.com]

Following The Washington Post’s public shaming for selling lobbyists access to administration officials, newspaper editors, and reporters for $25,000 and up, National Journal has created a private ‘pay-to-play’ web site for members of Congress. The whole amazing story is documented by The Washington Examiner and should be read in its entirety here.

The website known as 3121 is described as “a new feature on NationalJournal.com that will become available exclusively to Capitol Hill staffers in September.” Only individuals possessing an email address that ends with Senate.gov or House.gov can gain access to 3121.

For the modest one-time contribution of $295,000, lobbyists, corporations and advocacy groups with an interest in getting their messages to congressional staff can be “Premier Promotional” sponsors. Dropping just over a quarter of a million gets you “prominent placement in all 3121 marketing materials, plus visibility at planned 3121 “Innovation Happy Hours” and the site’s launch party. You will also get “exclusive rights to all advertising on 3121 from the site launch in September until December 31, 2009.”

Cheapo lobbyists who can only afford the $95,000 fee get the ”Research and Education” package which still buys lots of access, including ringside seats with “a highly targeted group of Capitol Hill staffers who will work with us pre-launch and beyond.” The beta phase will run from July through September, and “will include many points of contact throughout the pocess to receive as much feedback on 3121 as possible.” Additionally, Research and Education package “partners” will “have the opportunity to attend any or all training sessions” as Hill staffers learn the 3121 system.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Yep, after the Washington Post exposure, the follow-up question is how many of these rags engage in this kind of matchmaking? Looks like all or most.