News Companies Popular Investments Among Congressmen http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/06/news-companies-popular-investments-among-congressmen.html

As recent political fiascoes involving Rep. Anthony Weiner and ex-Sen. John Edwards have shown, the power of the press carries weight, especially in Washington. Careers of high-rising politicos can be buried or propelled to new heights in a matter of minutes by the media.But many members of Congress actually have a vested interest -- beyond just their political careers -- in the performance of the same organizations that are supposed to be their watchdogs, a Center for Responsive Politics investigation indicates.

About 60 U.S. senators and representatives, or their spouses, hold assets in at least 19 different news organizations or media conglomerates, according to the Center's analysis of federal personal financial disclosure documents. "If congressmen are investing in the New York Times, does that filter into the newsroom?," Smith told OpenSecrets Blog. "What happens is that it does raise red flags."