Sleazy Newspaper Scheme Exposed: Washington Post Offers Lobbyists Access to Lawmakers for Cash

Posted by Tana Ganeva, AlterNet at 9:17 AM on July 2, 2009.

This will require some hilariously desperate backpedaling.

The Washington Post is offering lobby groups access to its editorial staff, top officials in the Obama Administration, and lawmakers in Congress for $25,000 to $250,000. Politico reports that a flier circulated by the paper this week promises lobbyists the chance to mix with top lawmakers in a setting described as, "Spirited? Yes. Confrontational? No." The flier further explains:

"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 organization’s CEO or executive director literally to the table. Interact with key Obama administration and congressional leaders."

The flier was leaked by a health lobbyist, who felt the event represented a breach of the Post's journalism ethics. Does that bear repeating? A health lobbyist  scolded the paper for poor ethical practices.

Read the rest of the story here.