In July 2009, in the midst of intense debate over health care reform, Politico reported that a health care lobbyist had received an "astonishing" offer of access to the Post's "health care reporting and editorial staff."
Weymouth had planned a series of exclusive dinner parties or "salons" at her private residence, to which she had invited prominent lobbyists, trade group members, politicians and business people.
The cost of attendance to the parties was up to $250,000 per individual, with the events being closed to the press and the public.
Politico's revelation sparked controversy in Washington, as it gave the impression the parties' sole purpose was to allow a select group of Washington insiders and business people to purchase face time with Post reporters.

Almost immediately, Weymouth canceled the salons and blamed the entire incident on the marketing department at The Post.
The backlash also prompted David G. Bradley, publisher of The Atlantic, to admit that he hosts similar off-the-record discussions at his home and office at the Watergate, and in 2012, looking back on the incident, the Times said that "magazines host similar conferences all the time".
However, it is unheard of to charge as much as $250,000 per person (if anything at all) for such an event.
In July 2009, in the midst of intense debate over health care reform, Politico reported that a health care lobbyist had received an "astonishing" offer of access to the Post's "health care reporting and editorial staff." Weymouth had planned a series of exclusive dinner parties or "salons" at her private residence, to which she had invited prominent lobbyists, trade group members, politicians and business people. The cost of attendance to the parties was up to $250,000 per individual, with the events being closed to the press and the public. Politico's revelation sparked controversy in Washington, as it gave the impression the parties' sole purpose was to allow a select group of Washington insiders and business people to purchase face time with Post reporters.
Almost immediately, Weymouth canceled the salons and blamed the entire incident on the marketing department at The Post. The backlash also prompted David G. Bradley, publisher of The Atlantic, to admit that he hosts similar off-the-record discussions at his home and office at the Watergate, and in 2012, looking back on the incident, the Times said that "magazines host similar conferences all the time". However, it is unheard of to charge as much as $250,000 per person (if anything at all) for such an event.
Katharine Weymouth