While Newsweek is happy to jump all over Katie Couric's most recent troubles – where her "Katie Couric's Notebook" feature was copied from a WSJ, leaving a CBS News producer fired – the magazine is, apparently, less prepared to jump all over Don Imus for his racial flap.

That might have a little something to do with the fact that Newsweek's pundits are regular guests on Imus' radio show.

Notes WaPo's Sridhar Pappu:

This is particularly true of Newsweek (owned by The Washington Post Co.), which has a "cooperative" relationship with NBC and MSNBC. Several of the magazine's writers have "contributor" contracts with the network. And while none have formal, paying gigs with Imus, Newsweekers including Jonathan Alter, Evan Thomas, Howard Fineman and top editor Jon Meacham have become frequent contributors. Newsweek now has its brand to consider in deliberating whether to allow its people to joust once again with the "I-Man."

Also, Imus can move books. A lot. And wouldn't you know it, most Newsweekers have a tome or two they're always looking to promote. So ditching Imus might be good for ethics, but it'd be bad for business. And isn't that the only reason to put up with a grouchy old womanizing hatemonger?