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Bluetus

(554 posts)

6. Look at the formula for articles. That explains everything.

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:33 PM

Jan 11

In classical journalism, the objective is to inform the readers with truth, as efficiently as possible. The classical form says that you put the essential story in the first paragraph. In subsequent paragraphs, you fill in details for those that have more time or interest to consume the complete story.

Look at WashPo and most of the other legacy newspapers cum online news. You will find that in >90% of the online articles, the classical form is completely reversed. It is now the clickbait model, where you start with a misleading headline. Then the first paragraph hints about something sinister, evil, sexy, or bloody, but provides no useful information. In subsequent paragraphs, you lead the viewer along, making them skip past ad after ad. Finally, in the 10th paragraph -- or maybe on the third page, they might provide some of the essential details.

Bezos didn't turn the newspaper world from journalism to clickbait -- at least not by himself. It is everywhere. But by putting WashPo on that track, he guaranteed the demise of this once proud paper.

And you know what, Bezos is OK with that. That's one less news source that could report on Amazon's abusive labor practices and destruction to local economies.

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Highlight:

Jeff Bezos' WaPo reeling from losses and 'internal drama' as Trump returns to DC: report [View all] BumRushDaShow Jan 11 OP

Someone needs to tell Mr. Big Shot Bezos that Magats don't read. Joinfortmill Jan 11 #1

And somebody had better tell the reporters that "defecting to the NYT" Bluetus Jan 11 #4

Right Roy Rolling Jan 11 #12

Staffers still need a paycheck Blue_Tires Jan 12 #37

He couldn't care less. This is all about winning billions in g'ment contracts. jvill Jan 11 #23

S100 million loss in a year? speak easy Jan 12 #25

No. It was obviously the plan all along. How to destroy a free press in just a few short years. ratchiweenie Jan 12 #26

nonsense speak easy Jan 12 #27

Not when you have more than you can spend in 100dreds of lifetimes. He could care less. By destroying a free press ratchiweenie Jan 12 #28

I tend to agree with you. yardwork Jan 12 #34

It's not really a newspaper any more Marthe48 Jan 11 #2

Look at the formula for articles. That explains everything. Bluetus Jan 11 #6

Yep...the first paragraph should contain the who, what, when, where, and why. Details in the following paragraphs. SeattleVet Jan 11 #17

The point is, they are in the clickbait business now, not the journalism business. Bluetus Jan 11 #19

They pointedly DON'T give the facts up front anymore FakeNoose Jan 12 #30

I thought that my attention span... skypilot Jan 11 #18

The billionaires seem hell bent on destroying the free press. Irish_Dem Jan 11 #3

Usually after a plague, we go through a period of enlightenment. Initech Jan 11 #22

This IS the plague 0rganism Jan 12 #36

The thing about these billionaires that climb to that level of wealth dgauss Jan 11 #5

Good. Scrivener7 Jan 11 #7

Maybe he can reduce the $600m wedding budget by 90% to offset the loss. live love laugh Jan 11 #8

If he were to lose Katcat Jan 11 #13

Dumped my Wapo subscription and my Amazon Prime. paleotn Jan 11 #9

My two cents Roy Rolling Jan 11 #10

I feel for those left behind at WaPo RainCaster Jan 11 #11

Nobody is "reeling" slumcamper Jan 11 #14

Note to Bezos Bozvotros Jan 11 #15

Sorry, dude, you ruined it Lulu KC Jan 11 #16

You bought it, you broke it? dickthegrouch Jan 12 #43

Sigh we are back in an extreme robber baron age I'm afraid. cstanleytech Jan 11 #20

He bought it to destroy it. Initech Jan 11 #21

If the report is accurate, the arrogant bezos brought this on himself, and I salute all those journalists who had the JohnSJ Jan 12 #24

I was particularly upset Danascot Jan 12 #29

When this happened, I BlueSky3 Jan 12 #31

Thanks for reminding me I could do that. Danascot Jan 12 #41

There will be more people leaving Blue_Tires Jan 12 #39

Indeed ck4829 Jan 20 #46

Jennifer Rubin is BlueSky3 Jan 12 #32

I hate their new comments format. yardwork Jan 12 #35

Yes, the new BlueSky3 Jan 12 #42

I just unsubscribed from WaPo and subscribed to The Contrarian on Substack. yardwork Jan 13 #44

When I canceled after the Harris debacle, I had been paying $10 a month. They offered it for $4 a month Maeve Jan 12 #33

Piss on Bezos Blue_Tires Jan 12 #38

Remember when Bezos bought WaPo in 2013, and said he wouldn't interfere with the management of the paper? FakeNoose Jan 12 #40

Jeffy couldn't get his rocket up either tonekat Jan 13 #45