Extra!

Some readers may have missed Andrew Alexander’s column in Sunday’s Washington Post. Alexander is the ombudsman at the Post and his column reported a major collapse of the Post’s Chinese Wall. Do take time to read it all.

The Post planned to sell access to a series of 11 off-the-record “salons,” intimate dinners at the home of publisher Katherine Weymouth. Alexander reports that the sponsorship fee would be up to $25,000.

Alexander’s lede: “The Washington Post’s ill-fated plan to sell sponsorships of off-the-record “salons” was an ethical lapse of monumental proportions.”

Might have been pointless, too. Pointless since the gatherings of Washington movers and shakers would be off the record.

Alexander again: “The Post’s internal stylebook equates “background” with “not for attribution,” meaning that statements and information can be reported and attributed to a confidential source.  But ‘off the record’ means ‘information cannot be used, either in the paper or in further reporting.’ So for newsroom personnel, any information gleaned at a salon dinner would be useless.”

Politico.com broke the story on July 2nd, disclosing a flyer soliciting sponsorship for an event scheduled for July 21st.

Alexander concludes: “The Post’s reputation now carries a lasting stain.”

Frankly, my dears, I don’t believe so; unless by “lasting” you mean no more than two weeks. Memories are short.