The 4th Estate Thread Has Surrendered

[Alefroth]

They banned me from the comments section earlier in the year and I let my subscription lapse in July.

[Skinypupy]

Prominent editors at both the LA Times and the Washington Post have announced their resignations over this.

This could be the end of these papers' national statures, as it should be.

If Harris wins, this will be forgotten. If Trump wins, this tells us that Bezos will make the Post play nice with Trump.

This doesn’t seem particularly surprising. Ever since they hired Lewis (the managing editor from the Telegraph) it’s been pretty obvious this is the way things were heading.

It is kinda funny to watch MAGA doing victory laps over it though. WaPo haven’t been a “liberal” paper for quite a while…and you may have noticed they didn’t endorse your guy either.

[raydude]

I've cancelled too.

The more complicated part is to find out where the serious and legitimate journalists have gone and to subscribe and support their work.

Same here. I would have thought Bezos would be all "fuck it, I've got my billions" but apparently not. I mean, why the hell would an untouchable billionaire even care?

[AWS260]

Canceled my Washington Post subscription. This is the letter I just sent.

Your subscription cancelation page does provide an appropriate option for explaining why I am canceling, so I am sending this missive to provide my rationale.

You will not be surprised to hear it, but I am ending my subscription because of the Post's decision not to endorse a candidate in the most consequential Presidential election in living memory. Fred Hiatt is surely rolling in his grave, and Katharine Graham is probably about to rise from hers as a vengeful spirit. It is a cowardly and shameful act that burns the Post's legacy to bitter ash.

It's not entirely fair to call this The Post's decision, since it is clear that no one who does actual work at the paper was involved. Nonetheless, I believe that every member of the Opinion section with a conscience should resign.

Anyway, that's why I canceled. I can't believe I have to write this. Jesus Christ, people

.

[Kraken]

Well said. I haven’t canceled (yet) because I value WaPo’s reportage and failure-to-endorse is not in and of itself a fireable offense, IMO. But they’re on probation, in case their editorial cowardice leaks noticeably into their news coverage.

[Unagi]

Well said. I haven’t canceled (yet) because I value WaPo’s reportage

cancel, and re-subscribe later.

Right now is the only time you can send a message.

[Jaymann]

Surprise, surprise. CNN cuts away from DonOlds' lies at MSG to call him out in real time. Way too late to the party, but at least it is better than a sanewash.

[El Guapo]

I've cancelled too.

The more complicated part is to find out where the serious and legitimate journalists have gone and to subscribe and support their work.

Same here. I would have thought Bezos would be all "fuck it, I've got my billions" but apparently not. I mean, why the hell would an untouchable billionaire even care?

[El Guapo]

I will also say that it's not just money. Trump will likely be looking to send DOJ after a prominent oligarch in order to get all the others to fall in line.

[Isgrimnur]

Over 200,000 subscribers flee 'Washington Post' after Bezos blocks Harris endorsement

Not all cancellations take effect immediately. Still, the figure represents about 8% of the paper’s paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes print as well. The number of cancellations continued to grow Monday afternoon.

[geezer]

Bezos just posted an editorial, basically saying, "People no longer trust the press so we have to stop taking stands and offending people that don't trust the press." Never mind how irrational or driven by dishonest actors that lack of trust is...

[raydude]

I will also say that it's not just money. Trump will likely be looking to send DOJ after a prominent oligarch in order to get all the others to fall in line.

You and I both know that trying to appease a dictator almost never works. Given the similarities to the 1939 MSG rally I'd put up Neville Chamberlain as an example. Hell, I even told the Post in my cancellation email "If I was Trump I would go after Bezos first, given how quickly he caved".

[Holman]

I assume that by now everyone has seen the references to Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny.

[Smoove_B]

USA Today will not endorse anyone for President:

USA Today, the nation’s fourth largest newspaper, says it’s joining The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times in not endorsing a presidential candidate this election.

A spokesperson for the paper told the Daily Beast on Monday that it will instead focus on providing “readers with the facts that matter and the trusted information they need to make informed decisions.”

That’s a stark difference from four years ago when USA Today broke with decades-old tradition to endorse Joe Biden for president. That endorsement claimed Donald Trump wasn’t a capable leader and that the U.S. was “dangerously off course.”

NOTE:

Unlike the billionaires overseeing of the Post and LA Times, there have been no reports that any single person in the leadership at Gannett, which is a publicly traded company, intervened to personally shut down an endorsement at USA Today.

[Kraken]

A few minutes ago I jumped on the WaPo cancellation bandwagon, even though they offered to cut my rate from $4 to $2 per month. Yeah, two bucks a month is going to change my mind.

As I said earlier, I still value and want to support WaPo’s reporting, and I’m likely to re-up after Harris wins the election. Then cancel a time or two to drive it back down to $2.

Does anybody anywhere subscribe to USAToday or care about its editorial positions?

[Max Peck]

I've cancelled too.

The more complicated part is to find out where the serious and legitimate journalists have gone and to subscribe and support their work.

Same here. I would have thought Bezos would be all "fuck it, I've got my billions" but apparently not. I mean, why the hell would an untouchable billionaire even care?

I'm too tired to go and find the source, but I read that Trump had a meeting at Blue Origin the same day that the WaPo announced that it would not be endorsing either candidate, making it seem like Bezos muzzled the Post because he wants a slice of the action in the American space program for his favorite hobby company. Which would be hilarious if true, because Leon will never, ever let that happen if he ends up as Trump's "efficiency" czar.

[Max Peck]

The real kicker with Bezos deciding to muzzle the Post is that everyone who cares knows that the paper was going to endorse Harris, and why. All that Bezos has accomplished is to cement his place in history as a spineless coward (assuming, of course, that we have a future where truthful histories are written). I guess nobody ever told him about the Streisand effect.

[Grifman]

Bezos just posted an editorial, basically saying, "People no longer trust the press so we have to stop taking stands and offending people that don't trust the press." Never mind how irrational or driven by dishonest actors that lack of trust is...

What about the fact that he just offended those that want the press to take a stand and do trust the press? And which group is/was subscribing to his newspaper? I mean if you have to offend someone, who should you offend and why?

[waitingtoconnect]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com ... ipo=images

[raydude]

I've cancelled too.

The more complicated part is to find out where the serious and legitimate journalists have gone and to subscribe and support their work.

Same here. I would have thought Bezos would be all "fuck it, I've got my billions" but apparently not. I mean, why the hell would an untouchable billionaire even care?

I'm too tired to go and find the source, but I read that Trump had a meeting at Blue Origin the same day that the WaPo announced that it would not be endorsing either candidate, making it seem like Bezos muzzled the Post because he wants a slice of the action in the American space program for his favorite hobby company. Which would be hilarious if true, because Leon will never, ever let that happen if he ends up as Trump's "efficiency" czar.

Two reasons why I think Bezos will still lose if Trump wins the White House. Even if Leon doesn't end up in the Administration.

1. In Trump's mind for every winner there needs to be a loser. Leon and SpaceX are clearly winners, so Blue Origin will have to be the loser.
2. Trump never forgives nor forgets. See Sen. Romney and Chris Christie.

[Unagi]

And which group is/was subscribing to his newspaper? I mean if you have to offend someone, who should you offend and why?

Seriously. It's kinda a stupid business move, one would think. I honestly think it's all about avoiding personal attacks from Trump - not $

[pr0ner]

Over 200,000 subscribers flee 'Washington Post' after Bezos blocks Harris endorsement

Not all cancellations take effect immediately. Still, the figure represents about 8% of the paper’s paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes print as well. The number of cancellations continued to grow Monday afternoon.

The unfortunate thing about all the canceled subscriptions is that they won't hurt Bezos one bit. They'll definitely hurt rank and file when more layoffs likely hit later this year as a result of all the cancellations.

[geezer]

Bezos just posted an editorial, basically saying, "People no longer trust the press so we have to stop taking stands and offending people that don't trust the press." Never mind how irrational or driven by dishonest actors that lack of trust is...

What about the fact that he just offended those that want the press to take a stand and do trust the press? And which group is/was subscribing to his newspaper? I mean if you have to offend someone, who should you offend and why?

I suspect in his mind he'd rather sink the credibility of his toy than offend the dictator of the USA, and the attendant government contracts. He wants to, at worst, be Switzerland, not De Gaulle.

[Max Peck]

I suspect in his mind he'd rather sink the credibility of his toy than offend the dictator of the USA, and the attendant government contracts. He wants to, at worst, be Switzerland, not De Gaulle.

De Gaulle was the French general who led the Free French forces. Did you intend to refer to Pétain, the traitor who led the Vichy government?

[geezer]

I suspect in his mind he'd rather sink the credibility of his toy than offend the dictator of the USA, and the attendant government contracts. He wants to, at worst, be Switzerland, not De Gaulle.

De Gaulle was the French general who led the Free French forces. Did you intend to refer to Pétain, the traitor who led the Vichy government?

No, I meant that he wants to be neutral at worst, but definitely does NOT want to be the resistance. Pretty sure Elmo has the collaborator role locked up.

[Max Peck]

Ah, OK, I guess you're talking about post-war France during the cold war. I was thinking of France during WW2.

[geezer]

Ah, OK, I guess you're talking about post-war France during the cold war. I was thinking of France during WW2.

No, I was too. I think I just stated my point really awkwardly de Gaulle was the leader of the Free French from exile in the UK after Germany rolled through France. My point was just that Bezos has no interest in being that leader.

[Max Peck]

OK, I get it now.

[Kurth]

Over 200,000 subscribers flee 'Washington Post' after Bezos blocks Harris endorsement

Not all cancellations take effect immediately. Still, the figure represents about 8% of the paper’s paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes print as well. The number of cancellations continued to grow Monday afternoon.

The unfortunate thing about all the canceled subscriptions is that they won't hurt Bezos one bit. They'll definitely hurt rank and file when more layoffs likely hit later this year as a result of all the cancellations.

Yep. This idea that NYT and Post subscribers should cancel their subscriptions in protest over a decision not to endorse Presidential candidates is about as constructive as Muslims withholding their vote from Harris to protest U.S. foreign policy vis a vis Israel.

Except for Kraken, who is just trying to nickel and dime the Post into bankruptcy.

[Isgrimnur]

Except for Kraken, who is just trying to nickel and dime the Post into bankruptcy.

Artist's rendition

[ImLawBoy]

Over 200,000 subscribers flee 'Washington Post' after Bezos blocks Harris endorsement

Not all cancellations take effect immediately. Still, the figure represents about 8% of the paper’s paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes print as well. The number of cancellations continued to grow Monday afternoon.

The unfortunate thing about all the canceled subscriptions is that they won't hurt Bezos one bit. They'll definitely hurt rank and file when more layoffs likely hit later this year as a result of all the cancellations.

Yep. This idea that NYT and Post subscribers should cancel their subscriptions in protest over a decision not to endorse Presidential candidates is about as constructive as Muslims withholding their vote from Harris to protest U.S. foreign policy vis a vis Israel.

That's a specious argument, to be generous about it. With the newspapers, if your gambit works and impacts the newspaper, you're likely to see a positive change in coverage/opinions. With the voting, if the gambit works and you impact the election, you're likely to see a negative change for Palestinians in Gaza.

[Kurth]

Over 200,000 subscribers flee 'Washington Post' after Bezos blocks Harris endorsement

Not all cancellations take effect immediately. Still, the figure represents about 8% of the paper’s paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes print as well. The number of cancellations continued to grow Monday afternoon.

The unfortunate thing about all the canceled subscriptions is that they won't hurt Bezos one bit. They'll definitely hurt rank and file when more layoffs likely hit later this year as a result of all the cancellations.

Yep. This idea that NYT and Post subscribers should cancel their subscriptions in protest over a decision not to endorse Presidential candidates is about as constructive as Muslims withholding their vote from Harris to protest U.S. foreign policy vis a vis Israel.

That's a specious argument, to be generous about it. With the newspapers, if your gambit works and impacts the newspaper, you're likely to see a positive change in coverage/opinions. With the voting, if the gambit works and you impact the election, you're likely to see a negative change for Palestinians in Gaza.

Hmmm. I get your point: At least those who are cancelling their Post and NYT subscriptions can tell themselves that if their "gambit" works, they'll contribute to saving the 4th Estate. But I think you're wrong - and certainly not generous - in your analysis.

Those cancelling their subscriptions think they are doing something to save journalism. Those withholding their vote because of current foreign policy toward Israel and the Palestinians think they are doing something to save the Democratic party from itself and change U.S. policy.

That both are wrong doesn't mean my argument is specious. My point is that both groups are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.

I think this piece from Slate today captures what I'm trying to convey:

If you’re like me, your social media feeds for the past few days have been full of posts with screenshots of “We’ve Canceled Your Subscription” notices and comments to the effect of “This will not stand, Washington Post!” Never before have so many people—200,000, according to one report—gotten such an ecstatic hit of online righteousness out of saving themselves 200 bucks a year.

These are the times that remind us of how little most people understand how journalism works . . .

The Washington Post is already a struggling institution, having undergone layoffs and buyouts just last month. If 200,000 subscribers permanently bail on the paper, it may never recover. Or it may survive with much of its coverage cut back, and that may trigger a spiral into oblivion somewhere down the road as the remaining subscribers decide that a pale shadow of the Post’s former self is not worth paying for. Many bad things would follow from this, including journalists losing their jobs and the elimination of noncore sections that I value, like the Washington Post Book World. Most of all, however, there’s a lot of good, important journalism that won’t happen if the Post isn’t around (or can’t afford) to do it . . .

When you cancel your subscription to the Post, you don’t punish Jeff Bezos. You punish the journalists who write such stories, including, ironically, the journalists who wrote and prepared to publish the very endorsement you’re so angry about. As one Post staffer told me, “The journalists who produce the Washington Post had no role in this decision, and yet they’re the only people who will be really hurt if you cancel your subscription.”

And if those journalists lose their jobs, what happens to them? The most clueless subscription-cancelers of all maintain that they’ll just get jobs elsewhere. Apparently there are still people out there who don’t know that the business model for journalism is currently in free fall, with only brand-name legacy organizations, like the Post and the New York Times, able to hold on by their fingernails while still providing in-depth reporting. Last year alone, 131 local newspapers shuttered, a loss that has fostered the increasing polarization of their communities.

If the people who are so outraged about the decision of the Post not to endorse really wanted to do something to protest, there is one obvious subscription they could cancel: Amazon Prime. As the Slate piece points out, though, "Unfortunately, this is a bridge too far for a lot of us. I’ve heard from a handful of very honest persons that canceling Prime calls for a “bravery” that they don’t possess. The free press is one thing, but do not come for our free two-day shipping!"

[waitingtoconnect]

All you can really do these days is pick which oligarch you support sadly.

[Jaymann]

All you can really do these days is pick which oligarch you support sadly.

Mark Cuban is the thinking man's oligarch. And he actually lowered drug prices.

[Unagi]

All you can really do these days is pick which oligarch you support sadly.

I'd be willing to bet that this has been the case since time immemorial.

[Kraken]

Except for Kraken, who is just trying to nickel and dime the Post into bankruptcy.

Artist's rendition

As I said, I intend to resubscribe after the election. I have a background in journalism and know the importance of reader support. Canceling was merely a gesture to register disapproval, and to remind TPTB who their readers are.

[Kurth]

Except for Kraken, who is just trying to nickel and dime the Post into bankruptcy.

Artist's rendition

As I said, I intend to resubscribe after the election. I have a background in journalism and know the importance of reader support. Canceling was merely a gesture to register disapproval, and to remind TPTB who their readers are.

Also $$$. Two bucks a month is two bucks a month, amiright????? And you have a new house to furnish. Every little bit helps.

[gbasden]

Yep. This idea that NYT and Post subscribers should cancel their subscriptions in protest over a decision not to endorse Presidential candidates is about as constructive as Muslims withholding their vote from Harris to protest U.S. foreign policy vis a vis Israel.

Except for Kraken, who is just trying to nickel and dime the Post into bankruptcy.

So, withdrawing support from a newspaper and subscribing to another that seems to better represent free journalism is a bad thing? My total amount I am spending on journalism has gone up, not down. I get the argument, but I would argue the marketplace of ideas doesn't work very well if one blindly supports a single source and never considers what that their viewpoint is.

[Smoove_B]

Yeah, I'd think a real "protest" would be to cancel the WaPo and funnel that money into a local news agency (if they still exist for you).

[gbasden]

Yeah, I'd think a real "protest" would be to cancel the WaPo and funnel that money into a local news agency (if they still exist for you).

They do, and I did. As well as a regional newspaper and NPR.