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Notes -
Jeff Bezos can’t call up a desk or bureau chief at the Washington Post and order him to do something without causing a ruckus and leading to resignations and bad (and probably embarrassing) press coverage, sure.
But that doesn’t mean he’s powerless to direct coverage. Over 5-10 years of ownership he could have the paper recruit various closely-allied journalists who share whatever ideology he has. He could quietly advocate for their promotion. He could sit in on the interview panel for a new EIC. He could use layoffs and cutbacks to get rid of people whose opinions he doesn’t like for unsuspicious reasons.
Over time, he could have a paper led by close personal allies who agree with him on all major issues.
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