<[link removed]>



Bezos guts the Washington Post—just like Trump wanted



Mainstream media is experiencing a major die-off at the hands of its own
billionaire owners. On Wednesday, the Washington Post—at the command of Jeff
Bezos—announced it would be laying off a third of its staff in the name of
cost-saving measures. According to Executive Editor Matt Murray, the major
layoffs have to do with the fact that the outlet isn’t pulling a profit anymore.

“These moves include substantial newsroom reductions impacting nearly all
news departments,” Murray said in an internal memo obtained by CNN. “This
restructure will help to secure our future in service of our journalistic
mission and provide us stability moving forward,” he added.




 



No sugar-coating it: Daily Kos needs your help. Can you chip in $5 today?
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

Donate $5
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

 



The Post isn’t the only mainstream outlet facing heat for controversial
layoffs. CBS News—owned by billionaire David Ellison—made a similar move
earlier this year to the tune of massive layoffs across Paramount and CBS while
picking up their own accusations of targeting people of color.

Later, controversial Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss came for CBS News’ top
producers. Ellison, in tandem with Weiss, cut its staff in an effort to realign
its editorial team in what the public media has deemed a more Trump-friendly
broadcast. They’ve even given employees buyout offers if they don’t like the
direction of their network’s editorial mission.

But the men making these cost-cutting measures and editorial realignments
have also warmed up to President Donald Trump during his second term. As it
seems, these two things are not mutually exclusive. In terms of profits, Bezos
and the Ellison family seem to be doing well with the Trump administration.

Despite being snubbed by Trump in the past, Bezos’ Blue Origin has cozied up
with Pete Hegseth and the Department of War, better known as the Department of
Defense.

And other media outlets who have shelled out millions of dollars to
Trump—like ABC News’ $15 million payout—serve as a healthy reminder of how
vindictive the president has become this second term.

Instead of taking the offensive route, billionaires like Bezos have instead
turned to giving millions of dollars to the Trump administration without a
lawsuit pending.




 



No billionaire backers, no paywalls. Daily Kos news exists because of YOU, our
small-donor community. Now, we need your help. Please donate today.
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

Click here to donate
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

 



Just over a year ago, Amazon Studios announced they would be footing the $40
million licensing fee for first lady Melania Trump’s self-titled
non-documentary documentary. Since then, Amazon has shelled out an additional
$35 million for marketing as well. According to the Wall Street Journal, the
first lady’s cut is more than $28 million.

Despite people like Bezos originally buying the Washington Post with the
intention of keeping journalism alive and well, the apparent profit mindset
behind the billionaire’s motives is also what seems to be killing the editorial
vigor in its own award-winning newsroom.

Because in this presidential term, it’s profitable to remove a presidential
endorsement of Kamala Harris to keep the president from pulling government
contracts. However, it cost the outlet thousands of subscribers.

It also may be profitable to foot the bill for a film on the first lady, and
chip into the president’s ballroom. But it might dwindle the trust of more
readership.

And this, it seems, is exactly when democracy dies in the darkness created by
understaffing and underreported news.



Click here to check out this story on DailyKos.com.
<[link removed]>




 



We're not asking for much



The average donation to Daily Kos has been just $9.44. These donations may
seem small, but they're a big deal to us. In fact, they are our largest source
of income. We literally couldn't do the work we do without them. Can you join
thousands of other Daily Kos readers and help us with a donation of $9.44 right
now?

Donate $9.44
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>



 



You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Daily Kos.
To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
ormanage
<[link removed]
On Record&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&country=United
States&metadataCustom=testunsub> which newsletters you receive.