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Lance Khrome's avatar

Well said and timely, Dan...I recently subscribed to the Philly Inquirer, mainly to get behind-the-paywall articles by Will Bunch; however, reading beyond Bunch I'm duly impressed with the paper and its quality of journalism. In fact, I'll convert my lapsed WaPo sub into re-upping the PI!

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Sky 777's avatar

I had the same thought.

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T_Allen's avatar

I tried the Inquirer for awhile. But it didn't really fit my need. I upped my monthly contribution to The Guardian and took on Le Monde and SCMP I like them all for different reasons. Mostly I like to know what's going on in the world from a different perspective. And each looks at the US a bit differently than does the WP. I get a free subscription to the Japan Times but mostly because it has rather thin content. And last but not least I monitor the military.com website. Rather narrow focus but it tends to reflect what the military readership is consuming plus some content just not seen elsewhere.

btw I believe the NYT has adjusted the way they approach this election a bit and certainly Trump. So I'm giving them another chance at $5 / month with their family plan for the first 6 months. Not a bad deal

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Lance Khrome's avatar

Have you ever tried Le Monde Diplo? Wholly separate and independently owned and published, with excellent global coverage, including of course the US...been a subscriber off and on since late '70s.

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Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

I dropped the Guardian (Biden-hating hacks) for my husband's Inquirer, though I'd gladly subscribe myself. The editorials and Will Bunch are great.

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Lesley's avatar

this is the solution. it saves the paper, restores trust, removes Bezos, whom none of us will ever trust, and removes the paper as a source of conflict between Bezos and his new crush. walk away, billionaires, just walk away.

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Dallas Clemmons's avatar

Excellent post. I'm not sure I knew about the Philadelphia Inquirer--if so I had forgotten it-- but that story, and the current success of that newspaper, should be broadcast widely.

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Terry Shepard's avatar

Hear, hear! The Nation needs WaPo's -- and the L.A. Times' --reporting and this is the only way to ensure its survival and independence. Should it happen, all their subscribers would return. Meanwhile, boycott Amazon and Whole Foods and hit Bezos where it hurts. Don't let convenience subvert democracy.

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Lily's avatar

Bezos's opinion piece is staggering. The dishonesty of his ending alone says a lot about his intention:

"Many of the finest journalists you’ll find anywhere work at The Washington Post, and they work painstakingly every day to get to the truth. They deserve to be believed."

But he doesn't believe them, didn't even speak to them before negating their years of work, much less believe their work itself. Then threw the conclusions of "the finest journalists you’ll find anywhere" into the trash without the respect of even a heads up. What is that except a giant fck you to any experts?

Though less important than the unconvincing claims and transparent illogic throughout, his reuse of the same phrases that called out the seriousness of his mistake*, as well as so many facile platitudes**, make me question who (or what) took charge of the writing under his name.

------

* "The stakes are too high." -- "Now more than ever the world needs a credible, trusted, independent voice" -- " not without a fight." -- " It’s too important."

** "Criticism will be part and parcel of anything new, of course." -- " This is the way of the world."

-- "None of this will be easy, but it will be worth it." -- " I am so grateful to be part of this endeavor. "

-----

P. S. And all the above is just his ending.

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Steve Caicco's avatar

Sounds like AI took over.

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Don Enrique's avatar

Spot on, Dan.

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Bob's avatar
Oct 29Edited

Excellent point, Dan. One small thing, your CJR article is from 2022, not 2002.

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Dan Froomkin's avatar

Ack! Fixed! Thank you!

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rebecca wilova's avatar

I argue he should have endowed the Washington Post in 2013. Failing that, he should do it now. A 5 billion endowment surely could do a lot.

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Lily's avatar

I wish he would jump ship.

To me there are indications that this (and Lewis, and the previous drastic cut he made in newsroom employees) may be part of a broader plan he's sold on.

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WP's avatar

Agreed. I suspect Bezos intended to shut down the WaPo eventually since the day he bought it.

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Nancy Rea's avatar

Opinions only

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Nancy Rea's avatar

I wish he would take your advice!!News papers should be Non Partisan…

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Janet Salmons PhD's avatar

Check out the Colorado Sun, nonprofit formed by editors and writers of the former Denver Post.

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Rob Roy's avatar

Washington Post was right to not endorse either the Dem or Repub. After all, to do so of either is to endorse someone Gung-ho for genocide. What's the matter with you people?

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WP's avatar

Bezos won't sell the WaPo to a nonprofit, that would anger Trump as well.

In one fell swoop Bezos destroyed the credibility of the Washington Post, which was once a great institution. Offhand I cannot recall a more striking example of a business mogul being willing to kill off one part of his empire if it could hurt the other parts. Spare me any blather about a public service, independent voice, etc. All Bezos cares about is money.

RIP WaPo. Bezos should just shut it down now, it no longer has any credibility as a news organization. My only question is if Bezos already intended to destroy/shut down the WaPo since the day he bought it.

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JoelKS's avatar

Why can't I give more than one like to this column?

The entire press needs to be run, as government is supposed to be, for the benefit of the nation. Non-profits, if given appropriate charters, could do that.

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T_Allen's avatar

Ditto for the LA Times and Gannett

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