Washington Post Offers Access to Obama Officials at Paid Dinners

It used to be that the Washington Post offered the inside story for 75 cents a day. But in these financially strapped times for the press, it's now offering to get you on the inside for $25,000.

The newspaper that brought down a president is offering to sell access to Obama administration officials, policy makers and even its own journalists at dinners hosted by the Washington Post publisher, Katharine Weymouth, at her home.

The offer has come to light in a flier aimed at healthcare companies at a time when the White House is planning major reform of the industry.

It promises "a collegial evening, with Obama administration officials, Congress members, business leaders, advocacy leaders and other select minds". The flier, given to a healthcare lobbyist, also offers access to "healthcare reporting and editorial staff" at the off the record dinners.

"An evening with the right people can alter the debate," the flier says. "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"

Each meeting costs $25,000 per organization with one thrown in free for bulk purchases of 11 dinners for $250,000.

After the flier was exposed on the Politico website, the Washington Post newsroom quickly backed away. The executive editor, Marcus Brauchli, sent an email to staff saying that reporters will not participate in the first dinner, planned for July 21.

"We will not participate in events where promises are made that in exchange for money The Post will offer access to newsroom personnel or will refrain from confrontational questioning," he wrote. "Our independence from advertisers or sponsors is inviolable."

But one former Post staffer said the scheme has been under consideration since last year because of the paper's deepening financial crisis – it lost £12m in the first quarter of this year - and that some reporters were consulted about organizing the meetings.

A Washington Post spokesperson, Kris Coratti, blamed the business division of the newspaper for putting out the flier without the newsroom's approval."It went out before it was properly vetted, and this draft does not represent what the company's vision for these dinners are, which is meant to be an independent, policy-oriented event for newsmakers. As written, the newsroom could not participate in an event like this," she said.

"We do believe there is an opportunity to have a conferences and events business, and that The Post should be leading these conversations in Washington, big or small, while maintaining journalistic integrity. The newsroom will participate where appropriate."