Media News - Friday, July 03, 2009

Washington Post says publishers’ conference won’t be held

The Washington Post asked lobbyists and business leaders to pay USD 25,000 to attend a dinner discussion with government officials and journalists at the home of its publisher, and then canceled the event after the invitations became public. The newspaper's executive editor, Marcus Brauchli, said Thursday that no one in the newsroom had vetted the invitation and its journalists would not participate. Existence of the flier shows the pitfalls faced by news organizations trying to find ways to make money in tough business times. The Washington Post Co.'s newspaper division reported an operating loss of USD 54m during the first three months of the year. The flier advertised a 'Washington Post salon' on health care reform at the home of Publisher Katharine Weymouth on July 21, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press. The Web site Politico first reported its existence. The dinner party was to have 20 or fewer guests, including Obama administration officials, members of Congress, business leaders and lobbyists, according to the flier. Brauchli and other Post journalists, including those who cover health care, were promised as hosts and discussion leaders. Participants were offered a chance to 'build crucial relationships with Washington Post news executives in a neutral and informal setting,' the flier said. Each salon would have one or two sponsors who would pay USD 25,000 to underwrite the event and invite guests. The Post envisioned a series of 11 salons that could be sponsored for a total of USD 250,000. Weymouth on Thursday canceled the whole series. (AP)

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