Jeff Bezos reveals controversial reason he gave news editor ultimatum before he resigned
Topics: Jeff Bezos, Social Media, Twitter, US News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: David Ryder/Getty Images
Topics: Jeff Bezos, Social Media, Twitter, US News
Jeff Bezos has revealed he's enforcing a 'change' to the Washington Post's 'opinion pages' in a post to Twitter.
Alongside being the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos also owns American daily newspaper The Washington Post.
And today (February 26), he revealed he'd shared a 'note' with the paper's team earlier in the day about 'a change' impacting the opinion pages - seeing the pages split into 'two pillars'.
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Bezos took to Twitter earlier today to reveal the note he shared with employees of the paper, writing to let them 'know' about the change to the opinion pages, stating the outlet will now 'write every day in support and defense of two pillars'.
First, personal liberties, and second, free markets.
"We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others," he added.
Bezos argued the 'internet 'does [the] job' of bringing 'a broad-based opinion section' that tries to 'cover all views' to peoples' 'doorstep[s]', and so the newspaper is no longer required to deliver such a 'service'.
And Bezos also revealed what editorial page editor David Shipley's response to the change was.
He continued: "I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical - it minimizes coercion - and practical - it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
"I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t 'hell yes,' then it had to be 'no'.
"After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100 percent commitment - I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction."
Bezos resolved he's 'confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America' and 'believe[s] these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion' noting he's 'excited' for the paper to 'fill that void'.
And it's not taken long for people to weigh in - including others who work at The Post.
One Twitter user said: "Sorry, Jeff, after decades of being a subscriber, I cancelled my subscription. You picked a side, and it was the wrong one."
Chief economics reporter for The Washington Post Jeff Stein tweeted: "Massive encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section today - makes clear dissenting views will not be published or tolerated there
"I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know."
Dan Lamothe - who covers Military Affairs - wrote: "As a hard-news journalist at The Washington Post, there's no shortage of important news to cover. I will keep digging in.
"As I've stated before: Nothing changes. We ask hard questions and hold those in power to account. That's the job, whether those in power like it or not.
"Anyone reading regularly knows we've landed a series of scoops in recent days about the Defense Department. I'm not shifting my coverage. That is my job. I have no expectation that will change. But should I be told otherwise, I will need a Plan B."
UNILAD has contacted The Washington Post for comment.