This week’s good news is: washington post I was fired third After significant staff cuts, discontinuing sports and book sections, halting daily podcasts, and ceasing both national and international reporting, the once-thriving national newspaper has now become akin to a left-leaning blog.
Similar to newsweek and rolling stone magazine, the washington post now appears merely as a shadow of its former self.
Tihi.
Elite media attributes this drastic decline to “uncontrollable market forces,” rather than acknowledging that owner Jeff Bezos has avoided investing billions of his own money to support the organization, which would cost between $70 million to $100 million annually.
The “market forces” argument suggests this media entity has become disconnected from reality. News has never been more valuable, with many organizations thriving in the current landscape.
Instead of self-reflection, there’s an ongoing cycle of blame. Self-righteous figures shy away from the truth: the post has engaged in a five-act suicide.
Act 1 – Failing to address bias.
For as long as anyone can remember, the washington post has operated as a liberal newspaper. Its editorial page showed a left-leaning bias two decades ago, and while that affected news coverage, it was largely subtle. It was not overtly biased, with only minor exaggerations appearing in featured stories today.
As new media flourished in the mid-1980s, it revealed biases in various outlets. Around 2004, the post should have made an effort to reform itself. This could have been achieved quietly without government backlash. Instead, the post catered to liberal readers while still attempting to maintain a connection with right-leaning audiences.
Rather than adapting, it responded to pressures from new media with an even stronger display of partisanship, which contributed to its downfall in two main ways: identity and the need for reform.
Act 2 – Intense anti-Trump sentiment.
With financial troubles mounting, the post reacted angrily to the outcomes of the 2016 election, feeling deeply embarrassed by the public’s choice. In an effort to regain influence, the post made a poor marketing decision by mirroring another news outlet’s anti-Trump angle but charging for it, when other media provided similar content at no cost.
The post offered nothing unique for those who disliked Trump. It became just another voice in the corporate media chorus yet kept its content behind a paywall. Confusion arose when no one wanted to pay for accessible negativity.
Chapter 3 – Diminished Trust
How could the post not see how this would affect loyalty among its left-leaning base?
Ultimately, the simplistic strategies aimed at undermining Trump and trolling his supporters didn’t pan out. The patterns of misinformation only discouraged core post adherents when the promised disasters failed to materialize.
In hindsight, it resembles a sect, led by a demoralized figure who witnessed his followers drift away while confusion reigned. Many began to question why they were still funding this kind of reporting.
Act 4 – Alienating Everyday Readers
Starting with the Obama administration, the post consistently vilified those opposed to its leftist agenda, branding opponents as bigots: from the Tea Party to pro-Second Amendment advocates, among others. I grasp the short-term motivations, but underestimating the need for diverse readership could be catastrophic.
Then came the final blow…
Act 5 – Reforming too late
Anyone familiar with my commentary knows that I have repeatedly cautioned far-left outlets about their path. It’s a sticky situation that is hard to escape once entrenched.
The post finally attempted to pivot by not endorsing candidates in the 2024 election, suggesting a desire for moderation through modest changes. Unfortunately, it was far too late.
By then, regular readers felt alienated and mistreated, leading to a loss of trust that couldn’t easily be repaired. The reforms didn’t attract new subscriptions; if anything, they incited further backlash from its core audience who demanded unwavering loyalty.
That was when it all deteriorated. A significant number of subscribers, primarily those on the left, began canceling subscriptions and calling for boycotts as others watched the fallout unfold.
Yes, karma has caught up. But today, that karma feels especially vivid.
John Nolte’s first and last novel, borrowed time, is gaining recognition. Readers have raved about it. An excerpt is available here, as well as a detailed review here. It’s also offered in hardcover, as well as inKindle, and audio book.
