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Subscriber Exodus Hits Major Newspapers Amid Controversial Endorsement Decisions
In a significant development reflective of the current media landscape, The Washington Post has reportedly lost over 250,000 subscribers, with a staggering 50,000 departures occurring within just 24 hours. This sudden decline follows owner Jeff Bezos’s controversial decision to halt the newspaper’s planned endorsement of Kamala Harris, as highlighted in a recent NPR report.
Similarly, the Los Angeles Times has seen a reduction of about 18,000 subscribers since owner Patrick Soon-Shiong made the equally contentious choice to cancel its own endorsement of Harris. Insights from Semafor indicate the unfortunate timing of both decisions as a catalyst for this mass exodus.
The subscriber losses represent around 10% of The Washington Post’s total paying readership, and while the Los Angeles Times has not incurred quite as drastic a decline—approximately 4.5% of its paying customers—the impact is still significant for these prominent publications.
This situation unfolds amid broader existential crises faced by major media enterprises under the stewardship of powerful billionaires. The ramifications of these controversial decisions have ignited considerable backlash within the editorial staff. In Los Angeles, Soon-Shiong’s veto of the Harris endorsement, along with a critical series discussing Donald Trump, sparked resignations from at least three notable editorial writers, including Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Greene. The Times newsroom guild and over 200 employees expressed their dissent in an open letter, signifying a deep unrest.
Initially, Soon-Shiong misattributed the blame for the endorsement’s cancellation to the LA Times editorial board. However, after former employees debunked his claims, he attempted to justify his actions in an interview that critics noted was unchallenging in its approach. His daughter further stoked controversy by making inflammatory statements, which Soon-Shiong himself denied, suggesting they misrepresented the linkage to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In the capital, The Washington Post has similarly witnessed the departure of prominent figures, while respected journalists like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein have vocally criticized management, along with Bezos himself.
In response to this turmoil, Bezos published an op-ed where he attributed the decision to a declining trust in media among Americans. However, critics argue that this reasoning has only intensified distrust in The Washington Post. Many interpreted his remarks as tacit endorsements of conspiratorial rhetoric, particularly regarding voting machines, further alienating the readership.
In light of this scenario, notable creators like David Simon, who previously worked as a reporter, chose to cancel their subscriptions in protest against Bezos’s op-ed. Simon expressed his belief that withdrawing support would not significantly impact Bezos, given the billionaire’s substantial wealth, and acknowledged that the dedicated journalists at the Post still produce valuable journalism. He remarked on the disappointing nature of Bezos’s defense, describing it as a “transparent cowardice” and indicating potential for future support should the Post return to an independent editorial approach.
These events underscore a troubling trend for major news outlets, where decisions driven by financial interests may overshadow journalistic integrity, leading to a fracturing between media institutions and their audiences.
Source
www.thewrap.com