A Washington Post Apology - right to do but off target

July 5, 4:00 PMDC Ward 5 Community ExaminerRobert Vinson Brannum

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In a letter to readers, Katherine Weymouth, publisher and CEO of The Washington Post apologized "...for a planned new venture that went off track...."  In her letter of apology Ms. Weymouth stated a flyer which had been distributed was suggesting access to power brokers, including editors and reporters of The Post, was for sell.  While Ms. Weymouth asserts the flyer misrepresented the true intent of The Washington Post, she did not back away from the idea of the newspaper hosting conferences and live events "that bring together journalists, government officials and other leaders for discussion of importance." 

It has been reported The Washington Post newsroom staff did not take a liking to being asked to perform a pole dance on behalf of its business sibling.  Marcus Brauchli, executive editor of The Washington Post is reportedly quoted by POLITICO as having said, “You cannot buy access to a Washington Post journalist."  

In this sordid episode to promote power and access, Ms. Weymouth is concerned about The Washington Post's corporate image and Mr. Brauchli worries about the integrity of his reporters.  Sadly, there seems to be little concern about the people of the District of Columbia.  Implicit by the plan and the fury is the clearest evidence The Washington Post news editors, editorial staff, and reporters have little or no respect for residents of the District of Columbia.

Ms. Weymouth's apology was to readers of The Washington Post and not to the residents of the District of Columbia.  This is significant because the flyer did not make its way to local District businesses, local District community groups or community leaders to help open a conversation on important District issues, particularly District public education.  This flyer was purposefully designed for rich and powerful Washington lobbyists to underwrite an intimate and exclusive dinner in the home of Ms. Weymouth. 

How noble and gracious it is for Ms. Weymouth to make her home available to lobbyists and Washington's elite power brokers. However, it is unfortunate neither Ms. Weymouth or Mr. Brauchli share a similar desire to host a dinner or to make plans to meet regularly with leaders of District neighborhood civic and citizens groups.  Then few, if any of the District's neighborhood civic and citizens groups would be able to spot a reported $25,000 entrance or sponsorship fee.

The Washington Post has an editorial pattern of meeting with itself and later determining what the people of the District of Columbia should think and how its voters should cast its ballots.  If properly planned to be more open, transparent, and inclusive, this could be a grand opportunity for senior editors and reporters of The Washington Post to feel the heart beat of Washington by meeting with District neighborhood civic associations and District ward citizen's advisory councils.

Regardless of what division or department, The Washington Post as a corporation, has shown little respect for the thoughts, views, opinions of residents of the District of Columbia.  Ms. Weymouth and Mr. Brauchli should not only work to change the flier, they should also work to change the paternalistic and arrogant attitude of its editorial and newsroom editors towards residents of the District of Columbia as well as its readers. 

To try to portray the flyer as just a bad mistake, rather than a result of a broad corporate culture in The Washington Post will not work. 

E-mail contact: rbrannum@robertbrannum.com