Koch Donor Fest Ends Leaving Spin, Pledges, Questions about Media

The megabillionaire Koch brothers, whose agenda opposes environmental regulation, have a major impact on Republican politics -- including the 2016 presidential race. Their influence is magnified by the big donors they attract to their causes via semiannual retreats like the one that just ended at a luxury resort near Dana Point, Calif. This year, journalists got limited access to the traditionally secret conclave by agreeing not to disclose donors' identities. Now critics are asking whether such rules compromise the integrity of journalism.

Michael Calderone reports on the strings attached to media access in the Huffington Post August 5, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Media Experts Blast New York Times Over Glowing Profile Of Koch Brothers" (Climate Progress)

"Exclusive: The Restrictions Journalists Agreed To In Order To Attend The Koch Brothers’ Conference" (Think Progress)

"Journalists Attend Private Koch Brothers Gathering, But Agree Not To Name Donors" (Huffington Post)

"After Being Tough On Clinton Foundation Donors, The Press Protects Koch Donors Anonymity" (Media Matters)

"Wealthy Conservatives Cap Koch Brothers Weekend With Pledges" (AP)

"The Koch Brothers Left a Confidential Document at Their Donor Conference" (Mother Jones: 2/5/2014)

"Charles Koch Says He Lacks Power, Company 'Committed To Science'" (Greenwire)

"Koch Donor Fest Underway in Monarch Bay" (Huffington Post)

"The 16 Elected Officials Who Scored Invites To the Koch Brothers’ Donor Retreat" (Washington Post)

"'Dark Money': ALEC Wants Image Makeover" (Politico)

"Koch Brothers Brave Spotlight to Try to Alter Their Image" (New York Times)

"Koch Brothers Plot To Fix Their Perception Problem" (MSNBC)

"Donald Trump Attacks as Republican Rivals Court Donors at Koch Retreat" (New York Times)

"The Kochs Freeze Out Donald Trump" (Politico)

"Koch Group Gets to Keep Donors Secret in California Lawsuit" (Bloomber: 2/17/2015)

"U.S. Supreme Court Is Asked To Shield Major Donors in California" (Los Angeles Times: 5/17/2015)

"Koch Donors Uncloaked" (Politico: 10/14/2014)

"Donors Who Fund Koch Brothers’ Causes Say They’re Tired of Being ‘Demonized’" (Wall St. Journal)

"Scott Walker Prevails in Koch Donor Straw Poll" (Politico)

"Mainstream Media Won't Name Koch Donors, But We Will" (AlterNet)

"Charles Koch on the 2016 Race, Climate Change And Whether He Has Too Much Power" (Washington Post)