First, telling people to “get over it” is not a good look, nor an effective strategy when trying to convince angry or heartbroken people to see your side.
Secondly, if wealthy owners of newspapers will kill an editorial endorsement that you yourself admit has limited impact, what assurance do we have that they won’t try to kill investigative work that *could* have an impact? None. The cancellations are a vote of no confidence in the newspaper’s future ability to speak truth to power. Perhaps they can earn our trust back.
1. The "get over it" phrase is a reference to the slap scene in the 1987 film "Moonstruck" between Cher and Nicolas Cage.
2. There is no assurance that the "wealthy owners" won't "try and kill investigative work" but we know since Jeff Bezos purchased WaPo in 2013 for $250M that Pulitzer Prizes have flowed. Bezos has poured money into the news operation. By canceling subscriptions, and issuing a vote of no confidence, readers punish journalists. (Canceling Amazon Prime, for ex., would have been more damaging and likely captured Bezos' attention.)
3. As for the need to "earn our trust back," I'd ask you to please consider the work honored with Pulitzers since Bezos took ownership, including:
2014: Public Service, for coverage of widespread secret surveillance by the NSA
2014: Explanatory Reporting, for a series on food stamps in post-recession America
2015: National Reporting, for coverage of security lapses within the US Secret Service
2016: National Reporting, for tracking and reporting on police shootings in the US
2017: National Reporting, for coverage of Trump Foundation/his claims of charitable giving
2018: Investigative Reporting into sexual assault allegations against AL judge/US Senate candidate Roy Moore and an effort by Project Veritas to discredit the newspaper's findings
2018: National Reporting, for coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections and its connection to then-president Donald J. Trump and his staff
2019: Feature Photography, for images of Yemen's famine
2019: Editorial Cartooning, for images focused on issues affecting disenfranchised communities and challenging the Trump administration
2020: Explanatory Reporting, about the effects of extreme temperature on the planet
2022: Public Service, for coverage of the events surrounding the 2021 US Capitol attack
You inspired me to drill down and learn precisely how much serious coverage of former President Trump that the Washington Post staff has provided. As Jake Tapper wrote: "Canceling a newspaper subscription helps politicians who don’t want oversight, does nothing to hurt the billionaires who own the newspapers and make decisions with which you may disagree, and will result in fewer journalists trying to hold the powerful to account."
I sincerely thank you for reading. It is these discussions that make our nation stronger.
Thing is, I'm genuinely scared for reporters and reporting and newsrooms. They're shrinking and the few that remain actually work to protect our national security. I was part of a newspaper war in Little Rock, and my paper closed with no notice after our biggest advertiser pulled the plug. Why? Our publisher chose to run a (DUI) news story about the advertiser's family member. I've lived and breathed these debates and personally suffered consequences, as did brilliant colleagues. But I fully appreciate the exchange. It is a pleasure to engage with you.
I'm not canceling my subscription. But I understand why people are doing that because it seems to be the only way individuals can send a message to the newspapers.
Is it possible that the two billionaires made their decisions because they think if Trump wins they’ll get the Musk Treatment by the new administration?
The public gets angry about being in the dark and too often fails to see the connection between their darkness and those capable of providing light -- until it's too late.
Sorry can't support preventive cozying up to the fascists. Both papers were going to endorse Harris. You can do whatever you want but there will be consequences.
Dear Isaac, Thank you for reading and comment. Not canceling has nothing to do with cozying up to fascists. Protecting journalists protects us all, my friend.
I respectfully disagree. Principled journalists are probably already investigating other ways to do their jobs. I, for one, am anticipating Jennifer Rubin bolting to another outfit.
If we don’t cancel our subscriptions, we just condone awful behavior by billionaire owners.
There are still good papers out there. I cancelled my WaPo subscription and signed onto another. I thought their stance and covering statement was reprehensible. My choice. My loyalty is not a default.
As always, the Storm Lake Times Pilot provides valuable insight regarding the impact of national policy on our nation's farmers: "Trump has an uncanny hold on this state. If he deports the undocumented immigrants, as promised, it will wreak havoc on Storm Lake specifically and the ag economy generally. His trade war with China destroyed soy export markets, requiring massive taxpayer bailouts for farmers and agribusinesses."
I wish we could bring back the days when we sat in front of mom and dad's big wooden Zenith and Walter Cronkite ended his broadcast with "and that's the way is is" Unfortunately our media has become a tool of propaganda. No matter what your political views, we all should be thirsty for REAL journalism. WE should NEVER be able to determine the position of the messenger. We should enjoy wondering what the position of our messenger is.....while never being certain. The once distinguished vocation of being a "Journalist" is gone and lost, perhaps forever. If one chooses to be absolutely neutral, they risk the potential of future career success........and its sad......and we ALL know it's true.
Amen. Thank you for keeping The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal AND The Detroit Free Press. Journalists appreciate you. Journalism thrives because of you, my friend.
I agree but for the nay sayers, what newspaper are you going to pick up to keep the press going? Michigan Advance has a nice editorial about Trump being dangerous so how about that one?
Dear Cathy, There is good work being produced by news outlets all around us. Editorials are important, and they weigh in on so much more than presidential campaigns. A sample of award-winning work in 2023: The Detroit Free Press (juvenile jail scandal), The Detroit News (federal investigation of the MI House speaker), Ann Arbor News (school consolidation), Ludington Daily News (police chief resignation), Iosco County News-Herald (PFAS contamination) and Grand Rapids Press (toxic spill in the Huron River).
First, telling people to “get over it” is not a good look, nor an effective strategy when trying to convince angry or heartbroken people to see your side.
Secondly, if wealthy owners of newspapers will kill an editorial endorsement that you yourself admit has limited impact, what assurance do we have that they won’t try to kill investigative work that *could* have an impact? None. The cancellations are a vote of no confidence in the newspaper’s future ability to speak truth to power. Perhaps they can earn our trust back.
Dear MaryAnn, I appreciate your thoughtful note.
1. The "get over it" phrase is a reference to the slap scene in the 1987 film "Moonstruck" between Cher and Nicolas Cage.
2. There is no assurance that the "wealthy owners" won't "try and kill investigative work" but we know since Jeff Bezos purchased WaPo in 2013 for $250M that Pulitzer Prizes have flowed. Bezos has poured money into the news operation. By canceling subscriptions, and issuing a vote of no confidence, readers punish journalists. (Canceling Amazon Prime, for ex., would have been more damaging and likely captured Bezos' attention.)
3. As for the need to "earn our trust back," I'd ask you to please consider the work honored with Pulitzers since Bezos took ownership, including:
2014: Public Service, for coverage of widespread secret surveillance by the NSA
2014: Explanatory Reporting, for a series on food stamps in post-recession America
2015: National Reporting, for coverage of security lapses within the US Secret Service
2016: National Reporting, for tracking and reporting on police shootings in the US
2017: National Reporting, for coverage of Trump Foundation/his claims of charitable giving
2018: Investigative Reporting into sexual assault allegations against AL judge/US Senate candidate Roy Moore and an effort by Project Veritas to discredit the newspaper's findings
2018: National Reporting, for coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections and its connection to then-president Donald J. Trump and his staff
2019: Feature Photography, for images of Yemen's famine
2019: Editorial Cartooning, for images focused on issues affecting disenfranchised communities and challenging the Trump administration
2020: Explanatory Reporting, about the effects of extreme temperature on the planet
2022: Public Service, for coverage of the events surrounding the 2021 US Capitol attack
You inspired me to drill down and learn precisely how much serious coverage of former President Trump that the Washington Post staff has provided. As Jake Tapper wrote: "Canceling a newspaper subscription helps politicians who don’t want oversight, does nothing to hurt the billionaires who own the newspapers and make decisions with which you may disagree, and will result in fewer journalists trying to hold the powerful to account."
I sincerely thank you for reading. It is these discussions that make our nation stronger.
Thanks for your thoughtful response.
The line from Moonstruck is “snap out of it.”
Yep. Just going for that kind of energy.
Thing is, I'm genuinely scared for reporters and reporting and newsrooms. They're shrinking and the few that remain actually work to protect our national security. I was part of a newspaper war in Little Rock, and my paper closed with no notice after our biggest advertiser pulled the plug. Why? Our publisher chose to run a (DUI) news story about the advertiser's family member. I've lived and breathed these debates and personally suffered consequences, as did brilliant colleagues. But I fully appreciate the exchange. It is a pleasure to engage with you.
I'm not canceling my subscription. But I understand why people are doing that because it seems to be the only way individuals can send a message to the newspapers.
We need to help channel anger to PRODUCTIVE investment, including a subscription to "Bleeding Heartland."
Is it possible that the two billionaires made their decisions because they think if Trump wins they’ll get the Musk Treatment by the new administration?
Fascists don't protect or value journalists
The public gets angry about being in the dark and too often fails to see the connection between their darkness and those capable of providing light -- until it's too late.
Sorry can't support preventive cozying up to the fascists. Both papers were going to endorse Harris. You can do whatever you want but there will be consequences.
Dear Isaac, Thank you for reading and comment. Not canceling has nothing to do with cozying up to fascists. Protecting journalists protects us all, my friend.
After the latest Besos interferences I'm done.
I respectfully disagree. Principled journalists are probably already investigating other ways to do their jobs. I, for one, am anticipating Jennifer Rubin bolting to another outfit.
If we don’t cancel our subscriptions, we just condone awful behavior by billionaire owners.
There are still good papers out there. I cancelled my WaPo subscription and signed onto another. I thought their stance and covering statement was reprehensible. My choice. My loyalty is not a default.
Here is another example of local journalism in swing state Wisconsin. https://wisconsinwatch.org/
Here is an example of local journalism in swing state Wisconsin. https://upnorthnewswi.com/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UNN%20OCT%2025%202024%20FRIDAY%20FINAL&utm_term=UpNorthNews%20-%20Entire%20List
https://www.stormlake.com/stories/editorial-harris-for-president,103777
As always, the Storm Lake Times Pilot provides valuable insight regarding the impact of national policy on our nation's farmers: "Trump has an uncanny hold on this state. If he deports the undocumented immigrants, as promised, it will wreak havoc on Storm Lake specifically and the ag economy generally. His trade war with China destroyed soy export markets, requiring massive taxpayer bailouts for farmers and agribusinesses."
I wish we could bring back the days when we sat in front of mom and dad's big wooden Zenith and Walter Cronkite ended his broadcast with "and that's the way is is" Unfortunately our media has become a tool of propaganda. No matter what your political views, we all should be thirsty for REAL journalism. WE should NEVER be able to determine the position of the messenger. We should enjoy wondering what the position of our messenger is.....while never being certain. The once distinguished vocation of being a "Journalist" is gone and lost, perhaps forever. If one chooses to be absolutely neutral, they risk the potential of future career success........and its sad......and we ALL know it's true.
I would respectfully disagree that the role of journalist is needed now more than ever, and there are (really truly) so many great journalists.
We need more real journalists like yourself. One cannot watch mainstream media without seeing an agenda.
Thank you for your trust and faith, Dean.
It makes perfect sense Phoebe! I'm not leaving WP either...or the NYTimes...or even the WSJ...and certainly not the Free Press! :-)
Amen. Thank you for keeping The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal AND The Detroit Free Press. Journalists appreciate you. Journalism thrives because of you, my friend.
I agree but for the nay sayers, what newspaper are you going to pick up to keep the press going? Michigan Advance has a nice editorial about Trump being dangerous so how about that one?
Dear Cathy, There is good work being produced by news outlets all around us. Editorials are important, and they weigh in on so much more than presidential campaigns. A sample of award-winning work in 2023: The Detroit Free Press (juvenile jail scandal), The Detroit News (federal investigation of the MI House speaker), Ann Arbor News (school consolidation), Ludington Daily News (police chief resignation), Iosco County News-Herald (PFAS contamination) and Grand Rapids Press (toxic spill in the Huron River).