Petrelis Files

P. Anthony Ridder
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Knight Ridder News
San Jose, CA

Dear Mr. Ridder:

The Knight Ridder company's code of ethics on political donations from editorial employees is clearly spelled out, allowing them, as private citizens, to participate in the political process, but to avoid any conflict of interest such donations may cause.

The code states:

"Knight Ridder employees, as private individuals, are free to contribute to and work for political parties, causes or candidates and to participate in debate on issues of the day. But it is very important to avoid situations that might raise a perception of bias in the context of newspapers' or other news-gathering units' responsibilities to report and comment upon such activities. This sensitivity is most obvious, of course, in the case of news and editorial employees and those with responsibility for those functions within a newspaper or other news organization . . . Political contributions by corporations are regulated by state and federal laws, and in some cases are prohibited. In no case may an employee's personal contribution be represented as a Company endorsement."

In searching campaign finance disclosure web sites, I've learned that many Knight Ridder executives and editorial staff employees have donated to candidates and campaigns, frequently listing their employer as Knight Ridder.

Of prime concern to me are donations from Ms. Beryl Adcock, the news desk chief for your Washington bureau, to both Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee. According to Federal Election Commission records, Adcock apparently gave Kerry $1,000 back in April, and $550 to the DNC last year.

Do her donations to Kerry and the DNC compromise her integrity as a journalist for Knight Ridder?

One of your senior vice presidents, Ms. Mary Jean Connors, gave $2,000 in April to a Superior Court candidate in Washington State, according to records from the Public Disclosure Commission in Olympia.

You have also donated to a politician's campaign. FEC files show you gave George W. Bush $1,000 in 1999, helping him win the White House in 2000.

I have several questions for you regarding these and other donations from Knight Ridder executives and journalists.

When did the current code of ethics go into effect? Do the contributions in any way violate Knight Ridder's code of ethics? Has Knight Ridder disclosed the donations to readers, especially the contribution from Adcock?

A prompt reply is requested and duly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^

www.pdc.wa.gov

POWERS JAMES C
04/15/2004
$2,000.00
CONNORS MARY JEAN
LOS GATOS CA 95032
KNIGHT RIDDER SR VP


www.tray.com

Adcock, Beryl Ms.
4/19/2004 $1,000.00
Arlington, VA 22202
Journalist -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Adcock, Beryl Ms.
5/27/2003 $200.00
Arlington, VA 22202
Knight RIDDER/Journalist -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Adcock, Beryl Ms.
12/23/2003 $250.00
Arlington, VA 22202
Knight RIDDER/Journalist -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Dabney, Deborah L. Ms.
6/30/2003 $2,000.00
Fort Worth, TX 76120
Knight Ridder/Manager -[Contribution]
BUSH-CHENEY '04 INC

Leavitt, Shawn
3/5/2004 $500.00
Oakland, CA 94610
Knight Ridder/Director Benefits -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Leavitt, Shawn
6/14/2004 $250.00
Oakland, CA 94610
Knight Ridder/Director Benefits -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

CHALLINOR, JOAN RIDDER
9/28/2002 $1,000.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20008
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SHAHEEN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE

CHALLINOR, JOAN RIDER
6/28/2002 $500.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20008
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SHAHEEN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE

CHAPMAN, ALVAH JR
3/29/2002 $500.00
MIAMI, FL 33133
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
LINDSEY GRAHAM FOR SENATE

Sexton, Hughie Mr.
3/25/2002 $1,000.00
Matthews, NC 28104
Knight Ridder/Photographer -[Contribution]
NORTH CAROLINA'S SALUTE TO GEORGE W BUSH COMMITTEE INC

CHALLINOR, JOAN RIDDER
9/28/2002 $1,000.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20008
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SHAHEEN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE

CHALLINOR, JOAN RIDER
6/28/2002 $500.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20008
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SHAHEEN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE

CHAPMAN, ALVAH JR
3/29/2002 $500.00
MIAMI, FL 33133
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
LINDSEY GRAHAM FOR SENATE

Sexton, Hughie Mr.
3/25/2002 $1,000.00
Matthews, NC 28104
Knight Ridder/Photographer -[Contribution]
NORTH CAROLINA'S SALUTE TO GEORGE W BUSH COMMITTEE INC

CHAPMAN, ALVAH
7/9/1999 $250.00
MIAMI, FL 33183
KNIGHT RIDDER INC -[Contribution]
CARRIE MEEK FOR CONGRESS

CHAPMAN, ALVAH JR
6/30/1999 $250.00
MIAMI, FL 33133
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
BILL NELSON FOR U S SENATE

JONES, ROSS
4/12/1999 $200.00
SARATOGA, CA 95707
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SUE KELLY FOR CONGRESS

JONES, ROSS
6/30/1999 $200.00
SARATOGA, CA 95070
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SUE KELLY FOR CONGRESS

LAFFOON, POLK IV
6/30/1999 $1,000.00
SARATOGA, CA 95070
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
BUSH FOR PRESIDENT INC

LIU, TALLY
9/21/2000 $250.00
SARATOGA, CA 95070
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
DAVE WU FOR CONGRESS

RIDDER, P ANTHONY
6/30/1999 $1,000.00
WOODSIDE, CA 94062
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
BUSH FOR PRESIDENT INC

RODRIGUEZ, JASON
2/22/2000 $250.00
SAN JOSE, CA 95127
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
MIKE HONDA FOR CONGRESS

STEVENSON, KAREN
10/20/2000 $250.00
BERKELEY, CA 94705
KNIGHT RIDDER INC -[Contribution]
AMERICA WOMEN VOTE 2000!

STEVENSON, KAREN
4/20/1999 $250.00
BERKELEY, CA 94705
KNIGHT RIDDER INC -[Contribution]
EMILY'S LIST

STEVENSON, KAREN
7/23/1999 $250.00
BERKELEY, CA 94705
KNIGHT RIDDER INC -[Contribution]
EMILY'S LIST

CHAPMAN, ALVAH H JR
11/7/1997 $250.00
MIAMI, FL 33133
KNIGHT RIDDER INC -[Contribution]
CARRIE MEEK FOR CONGRESS

FIELDER, VIRGINIA D
5/19/1997 $1,000.00
WAYNESBORO, TN 38485
KNIGHT RIDDER -[Contribution]
SCORSONE FOR CONGRESS