You have to think, and hope, there are a few people at the Washington Post who have trouble sleeping the next few days. Naturally, the publisher, Katherine Weymouth, should be one of them ... in terminal fear for their jobs.
(Are you reading this, Donald Graham?)
Even the Post’s Ombudsman agrees the idea of inviting sources/lobbyists/influencers to diss and dine with Weymouth and her employees (don’t forget) was beyond the pale of logic. Given my own experience at major media companies, it’s beyond belief that this dumb idea got further than a suggestion over having a coffee.
Most troubling is Ms. Weymouth’s involvement, her name being used in the sponsor-soliciting flier .
Without her knowledge? Right!
Given the Post’s financial issues, it is also clear now that there are substantial management problems, too.
In her brief tenure, Weymouth appears to consciously trying to raise the Post’s profile well beyond paper and ink. But in her zeal (exemplified by this photo and feature from Portfolio) there have been mistakes.
At a minimum, she is trying way too hard.
Luring lobbyists and executives to non-confrontational conversations and drinks and dinner with reporters is absurd. It’s enough to make one ask if this media company’s lineage included Katherine Graham and Ben Bradlee or that self-described ‘thug,’ Nick Denton.
Tough talk but true. I can't believe how fa the idea got. I was apalled.
Posted by: warren springer | Jul 04, 2009 at 12:02