Washington Post sets policy for newsroom participation in sponsored events

Six months after a scandal that tarnished The Washington Post's reputation, the newspaper said Thursday that its journalists will not participate in company-sponsored events with newsmakers unless the proceedings are on the record.

As a "general rule," the guidelines say, newsroom staffers will participate in Post conferences or events only when there are "multiple sponsors." Participation in single-sponsor events "can create the appearance that we are trying to further that sponsor's individual interest, especially if that sponsor has a direct financial or political interest in the topic." The executive editor, however, can grant exemptions -- if, for example, a company were to underwrite a conference on a topic far removed from its business. The guidelines say that sponsors will not determine the content or structure of any event, and that The Post will decide whether the proceedings are worthy of news coverage. Post reporters can be consulted on potential guests but should not personally extend the invitations, the rules say.