Petrelis Files

Michael Arrieta-Walden
Public Editor
The Oregonian
publiceditor@news.oregonian.com

Dear Mr. Arrieta-Walden:

A search of publicly available Federal Election Commission records at the Political Money Line web site, www.tray.com, for donations from editorial staff at the Oregonian reveals the following contributions.

I've also searched the Oregonian's web site and can't find any stories showing the paper disclosed an automotive editor has donated $500 this year to John Kerry and a journalist for the paper in March wrote a check for $1,500 to Jim Zupancic, a GOP candidate for Oregon's 5th Congressional District seat.

In light of these political donations, I wonder what your paper's policy is regarding editorial staff giving money to politicians and campaigns.

Does the Oregonian allow or prohibit such contributions?

If the paper does permit these kind of donations, does the Oregonian require the disclosures be disclosed to readers in print and on the web?

An explanation of the Oregonian's policies on these matters is respectfully requested and appreciated.

Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267
^^^

www.tray.com

Hill, Robert L
3/2/2004 $250.00
Canby, OR 97013
The Oregonian/Automotive Editor -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Hill, Robert L
6/20/2004 $250.00
Canby, OR 97013
The Oregonian/Automotive Editor -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Sorenson, Karin
3/3/2004 $1,500.00
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
The Oregonian/Journalist -[Contribution]
ZUPANCIC FOR CONGRESS 2004 INC

Whitehouse, Thomas J
12/31/2003 $200.00
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Oregonian Publ Company/Human Resour -[Contribution]
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

Jones, Leona Mrs.
1/9/2002 $500.00
Ontario, OR 97914
The Oregonian/Newspaper Dealer -[Contribution]
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Jones, Leona Mrs.
10/24/2002 $1,000.00
Ontario, OR 97914
The Oregonian/Newspaper Dealer -[Contribution]
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

RUSSELL, CANDACE T
3/15/2002 $200.00
PORTLAND, OR 97232
THE OREGONIAN -[Contribution]
GORDON SMITH FOR US SENATE 2002 INC