The Washington Post, one of the famous names in American journalism has apologized for trying to sell sponsorships to lobbyists, corporations and industry associations for dinners at Ms. Weymouth's home, attended by executive editor Marcus Brauchli, journalists and government officials.

Under the plan potential sponsors were asked to pay $25,000 for each dinner, promising unofficial access to people in power.

In 2,200-word investigation, Andrew Alexander, the ombudsman of The Washington Post wrote that the newspaper's concerned plan was an "ethical lapse of monumental proportions" and the newspaper now has "a lasting stain" on its name.

Earlier last week the news hit the headlines that The Washington Post's publishers were publicizing 11 salons, where lobbyists could get access to top administration and influential figures.

Politico. com had thrown light on the "salons" in a July 2 article.

Outsiders as well as The Washington Post's own newsroom condemned newspapers concerned move, compelling it to quit its plan.

However, Donald Graham, the chairman of the Washington Post Company and Ms. Weymouth's uncle said, "Katharine is an outstanding publisher of The Post; she understands the values that are central to The Post and upholds them very well."