Hosted by the American Society of Business Publication
Editors, Washington, D.C. Chapter

Trade and association publication editors and reporters:

Is your industry headed for the next front-page lobbying scandal? And could your publication get caught up in it?

As the Abramoff scandal unfolds, the list of politicians, industries, and media outlets caught in the controversy is growing every day and now includes prominent members of Congress and several high-profile industries. The scandal has affected the news media too. Recently, the Washington Post was forced to take down its blog in response to a wave of personal attacks aimed at its ombudsman after she weighed
in on the Abramoff case.

In response to the crisis, Congress is considering proposals to mandate more disclosure of lobbying contacts, ban most lobbyist-sponsored trips, and lengthen the time former members of Congress must wait before taking up lobbying.

If the turmoil spreads to the industry you cover, do you have the investigative resources and editorial perspective to report on lobbying transgressions to your readers?

If you're editor of an association publication whose industry finds itself under the spotlight, will you suddenly find yourself in the crossfire as your association grapples with the issues? How will your ability to cover events be restricted?

Even if your industry isn't affected, how might lobbying
restrictions impact your ability to gather and report on your industry's legislative and regulatory issues?

To explore these issues, the D.C. chapter of ASBPE is
hosting key analysts and the editor emiritus of Wonkette, the must-read inside-Washington blog, for their take on what it all means for B2B and association journalists.

Panelists

· Ana Marie Cox, editor emiritus, Wonkette, and author,
Dog Days (Riverhead: 2006).

· Pam Gavin, superintendent of public records, U.S. Senate. Gavin's agency administers the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act, and will address what is and what isn't allowed under lobbying rules.

· Ken Doyle, editor, Money and Politics Report,Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. Doyle will discuss the surprising outcome of his investigative story on the frequency that the Lobbying Disclosure Act is enforced.

· Debra Cope, publisher, Community Banker Magazine, America's Community Bankers. Cope will explain the importance of maintaining editorial objectivity while working for an association that engages in lobbying activities.

· Jim Oliphant, editor, Legal Times and Influence Magazine,ALM Media. Oliphant will offer the lobbying industry perspective of the debate and share his experiences covering the lobbying industry.

The Washington, D.C., Chapter of the American Society of Business Publication Editors invites you to join your colleagues in the trade, business, and association press, for a lunch and panel discussion on covering industry scandals.

March 16, 2006
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
The National Press Club
The Lisagore Room
529 14th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Lunch Provided
$25 for Members
$30 for Nonmembers

Register today by credit card today. Seating is limited to
40 attendees.

Advance Registrations Only. RSVPs must be received by
Friday, March 9

Register by faxing the attached form to Steve Roll,
president D.C. ASBPE

FAX 202/530-1777; phone: 202/833-7242, sroll@bna.com.