Part 5/7:
The backdrop to this editorial revamp includes a noticeable decline in The Washington Post’s readership and engagement. Data indicates the newspaper’s daily web traffic plummeted from 22.5 million users in 2021 to under 3 million, prompting speculation on the viability of its current business model under its previous editorial philosophy.
Bezos acknowledged the crumbling trust in the media, citing a Gallup poll that revealed diminishing confidence levels in news outlets—a sentiment he attributed to their perception of bias. In light of the recent changes, he indicated the need for the Post to hire more pro-Trump and conservative voices to rebuild credibility.
A Broader Trend of Ideological Reversal?