Jay Rosen
@jayrosen.bsky.social
Let's see... 39 years teaching journalism at NYU. A critic who tries to be useful. PressThink: the name of my subject and my site. My book: "What Are Journalists For?" (1999, Yale University Press)
The new publisher of the Washington Post basically admits to the Post staff... We were incompetent. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
February 12, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The new publisher of the Washington Post basically admits to the Post staff... We were incompetent. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Reposted by Jay Rosen
I've tried to get this point across myself. Here, @brianbeutler.bsky.social does a great job of it. Liberal bias is a political tool — not a critique of performance — and it will assert itself regardless of how well the newsroom does on truthtelling and fairness. www.offmessage.net/p/a-requiem-...
February 12, 2026 at 12:10 AM
I've tried to get this point across myself. Here, @brianbeutler.bsky.social does a great job of it. Liberal bias is a political tool — not a critique of performance — and it will assert itself regardless of how well the newsroom does on truthtelling and fairness. www.offmessage.net/p/a-requiem-...
I've tried to get this point across myself. Here, @brianbeutler.bsky.social does a great job of it. Liberal bias is a political tool — not a critique of performance — and it will assert itself regardless of how well the newsroom does on truthtelling and fairness. www.offmessage.net/p/a-requiem-...
February 12, 2026 at 12:10 AM
I've tried to get this point across myself. Here, @brianbeutler.bsky.social does a great job of it. Liberal bias is a political tool — not a critique of performance — and it will assert itself regardless of how well the newsroom does on truthtelling and fairness. www.offmessage.net/p/a-requiem-...
If you ever groaned at a "both sides" treatment of an issue you care about, you might gain something from Brian's post.
Marty Baron's Post thrived because it took meaningful steps away from false balance, toward a defensible north star. As long as media execs insist financial pressures require wooing back right-wing audiences, why help them build a false sense that this is possible? www.offmessage.net/p/a-requiem-...
February 11, 2026 at 11:18 PM
If you ever groaned at a "both sides" treatment of an issue you care about, you might gain something from Brian's post.
"We own it, we're ending it, and we don't want to talk to anyone who wants to buy it. Don't call us; we won't answer you."
www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...
That appears to be the current status of the Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh. Via @dankennedy.net
www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...
That appears to be the current status of the Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh. Via @dankennedy.net
Efforts to keep Pittsburgh Post-Gazette operating appear to stall
In less than three months, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is scheduled to close up shop and go out of business.
www.cbsnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:01 PM
"We own it, we're ending it, and we don't want to talk to anyone who wants to buy it. Don't call us; we won't answer you."
www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...
That appears to be the current status of the Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh. Via @dankennedy.net
www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/n...
That appears to be the current status of the Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh. Via @dankennedy.net
Tina Brown telling Bezos he's wrong:
“'The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus.' No, it’s not the data that tells us, Jeff. It’s the intellect and enterprise of journalists searching out stories that readers didn’t know." tinabrown.substack.com/p/bafflement...
I agree but...
1 of 2
“'The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus.' No, it’s not the data that tells us, Jeff. It’s the intellect and enterprise of journalists searching out stories that readers didn’t know." tinabrown.substack.com/p/bafflement...
I agree but...
1 of 2
Bafflement with Bezos
The whole debacle of the Washington Post brand hara-kiri last week dispatched the myth that a tech billionaire could save serious journalism.
tinabrown.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Tina Brown telling Bezos he's wrong:
“'The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus.' No, it’s not the data that tells us, Jeff. It’s the intellect and enterprise of journalists searching out stories that readers didn’t know." tinabrown.substack.com/p/bafflement...
I agree but...
1 of 2
“'The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus.' No, it’s not the data that tells us, Jeff. It’s the intellect and enterprise of journalists searching out stories that readers didn’t know." tinabrown.substack.com/p/bafflement...
I agree but...
1 of 2
"The Post, the Times, Axios, and Politico combined don’t reach 100 million monthly viewers, and that includes people who aren’t paying. Two hundred million was delusional."
This post by @parkermolloy.com is loaded. Read it.
1 of 2
www.readtpa.com/p/jeff-bezos...
This post by @parkermolloy.com is loaded. Read it.
1 of 2
www.readtpa.com/p/jeff-bezos...
February 10, 2026 at 11:33 PM
"The Post, the Times, Axios, and Politico combined don’t reach 100 million monthly viewers, and that includes people who aren’t paying. Two hundred million was delusional."
This post by @parkermolloy.com is loaded. Read it.
1 of 2
www.readtpa.com/p/jeff-bezos...
This post by @parkermolloy.com is loaded. Read it.
1 of 2
www.readtpa.com/p/jeff-bezos...
BlueSky finally adds drafts. techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/b...
I wonder what this means, if anything, for making threads.
I wonder what this means, if anything, for making threads.
Bluesky finally adds drafts | TechCrunch
The move comes as Bluesky’s competitors, X and Threads, have long supported drafts.
techcrunch.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:57 PM
BlueSky finally adds drafts. techcrunch.com/2026/02/09/b...
I wonder what this means, if anything, for making threads.
I wonder what this means, if anything, for making threads.
Yesterday the Washington Post rid itself of Publisher and Chief Executive Will Lewis. If you're interested in those events and their tumultuous background, I would recommend this detailed account from NPR's @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social
No paywall. www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
No paywall. www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
'Washington Post' CEO departs after going AWOL during massive job cuts
Washington Post chief executive and publisher Will Lewis has departed just days after the newspaper announced massive layoffs.
www.npr.org
February 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Yesterday the Washington Post rid itself of Publisher and Chief Executive Will Lewis. If you're interested in those events and their tumultuous background, I would recommend this detailed account from NPR's @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social
No paywall. www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
No paywall. www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
Reposted by Jay Rosen
Whew, this new ending to the updated story
February 8, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Whew, this new ending to the updated story
Reposted by Jay Rosen
FT also suggested that he was forced out
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 AM
FT also suggested that he was forced out
Kara Swisher at www.threads.com says Will Lewis was fired.
Below that is his letter to the Post staff.
Below that is his letter to the Post staff.
February 8, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Kara Swisher at www.threads.com says Will Lewis was fired.
Below that is his letter to the Post staff.
Below that is his letter to the Post staff.
February 8, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Washington Post C.E.O. Will Lewis Steps Down After Stormy Tenure
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:47 PM
February 7, 2026 at 7:19 PM
If you missed it last week, here's my new thread.
It's about the key distinctions I have used to open space for thought in my 35 years as a press critic.
It's long (29 slides) but I tried to make it worth the trip. It ends with the people of Minnesota and their turn to "citizen journalism."
It's about the key distinctions I have used to open space for thought in my 35 years as a press critic.
It's long (29 slides) but I tried to make it worth the trip. It ends with the people of Minnesota and their turn to "citizen journalism."
"When in doubt, draw a distinction."
Not sure where he got it, but in grad school one of my teachers taught me that.
This (long) thread is about the key distinctions I rely on as a critic. There's a Twitter version from 2021. This one builds on that one.
I will post them one at a time. Ready?
Not sure where he got it, but in grad school one of my teachers taught me that.
This (long) thread is about the key distinctions I rely on as a critic. There's a Twitter version from 2021. This one builds on that one.
I will post them one at a time. Ready?
February 7, 2026 at 7:04 PM
If you missed it last week, here's my new thread.
It's about the key distinctions I have used to open space for thought in my 35 years as a press critic.
It's long (29 slides) but I tried to make it worth the trip. It ends with the people of Minnesota and their turn to "citizen journalism."
It's about the key distinctions I have used to open space for thought in my 35 years as a press critic.
It's long (29 slides) but I tried to make it worth the trip. It ends with the people of Minnesota and their turn to "citizen journalism."
From @status.news
"If Bezos really believes in the mission of the newspaper, it’s time for him to end his ownership of The Post."
"If Bezos really believes in the mission of the newspaper, it’s time for him to end his ownership of The Post."
February 7, 2026 at 6:08 PM
From @status.news
"If Bezos really believes in the mission of the newspaper, it’s time for him to end his ownership of The Post."
"If Bezos really believes in the mission of the newspaper, it’s time for him to end his ownership of The Post."
"Innovator, but not for this."
That's my title for FT's article, "Can he revive it?"
Nameless sources say, "they tried everything," but did they? Is the Post an innovator in business models?" Is it trying to be? Has it even looked an endowment exit? Where's his ego at? www.ft.com/content/f430...
That's my title for FT's article, "Can he revive it?"
Nameless sources say, "they tried everything," but did they? Is the Post an innovator in business models?" Is it trying to be? Has it even looked an endowment exit? Where's his ego at? www.ft.com/content/f430...
February 6, 2026 at 5:08 PM
"Innovator, but not for this."
That's my title for FT's article, "Can he revive it?"
Nameless sources say, "they tried everything," but did they? Is the Post an innovator in business models?" Is it trying to be? Has it even looked an endowment exit? Where's his ego at? www.ft.com/content/f430...
That's my title for FT's article, "Can he revive it?"
Nameless sources say, "they tried everything," but did they? Is the Post an innovator in business models?" Is it trying to be? Has it even looked an endowment exit? Where's his ego at? www.ft.com/content/f430...
Today's @status.news has this about the Washington Post:
The Post's chief executive Will Lewis, who was entirely MIA during the layoffs Wednesday and has not said a word about them, turned up at the NFL Honors red carpet in San Francisco on Thursday.
The Post's chief executive Will Lewis, who was entirely MIA during the layoffs Wednesday and has not said a word about them, turned up at the NFL Honors red carpet in San Francisco on Thursday.
February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Today's @status.news has this about the Washington Post:
The Post's chief executive Will Lewis, who was entirely MIA during the layoffs Wednesday and has not said a word about them, turned up at the NFL Honors red carpet in San Francisco on Thursday.
The Post's chief executive Will Lewis, who was entirely MIA during the layoffs Wednesday and has not said a word about them, turned up at the NFL Honors red carpet in San Francisco on Thursday.
"When you cut your sports section, it’s because you actually don’t want the paper to exist anymore." —Josh Marshall
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/do-yo...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/do-yo...
‘Do You Speak Billionaire?’ and Other Stories From the Fall of the Washington Post
I think I can say with little fear of contradiction that I...
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:54 PM
"When you cut your sports section, it’s because you actually don’t want the paper to exist anymore." —Josh Marshall
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/do-yo...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/do-yo...
In "The Murder of The Washington Post by Ashley Parker there is one sentence that made me want to know more.
This one:
"Maybe, as many of us who deeply love the Post fear, the decimation is the plan."
Could be! But after that sentence the plan disappears.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
This one:
"Maybe, as many of us who deeply love the Post fear, the decimation is the plan."
Could be! But after that sentence the plan disappears.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The Murder of The Washington Post
Today’s layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special.
www.theatlantic.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:09 PM
In "The Murder of The Washington Post by Ashley Parker there is one sentence that made me want to know more.
This one:
"Maybe, as many of us who deeply love the Post fear, the decimation is the plan."
Could be! But after that sentence the plan disappears.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
This one:
"Maybe, as many of us who deeply love the Post fear, the decimation is the plan."
Could be! But after that sentence the plan disappears.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
I bring you this from the pen of Dylan Byers at @puck.news so you can see how adult-in-the-room punditry works.
When at the last minute Bezos shocked everyone by killing the Post's endorsement of Kamala Harris, signaling a new openness to Trump, and enraging core audiences...that's now a "squable."
When at the last minute Bezos shocked everyone by killing the Post's endorsement of Kamala Harris, signaling a new openness to Trump, and enraging core audiences...that's now a "squable."
February 5, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I bring you this from the pen of Dylan Byers at @puck.news so you can see how adult-in-the-room punditry works.
When at the last minute Bezos shocked everyone by killing the Post's endorsement of Kamala Harris, signaling a new openness to Trump, and enraging core audiences...that's now a "squable."
When at the last minute Bezos shocked everyone by killing the Post's endorsement of Kamala Harris, signaling a new openness to Trump, and enraging core audiences...that's now a "squable."
I agree, David. That he didn't show up to face the staff today makes it impossible to believe that he cares about the Post.
I don't see how Will Lewis can effectively lead WaPo.
Lewis did not save Bezos from himself on opinion pages. (375K+ cancelations) His innovations did not stem enough red ink.
And he has not taken any ownership of the devastating ensuing cuts. He's making Murray own it alone.
Lewis did not save Bezos from himself on opinion pages. (375K+ cancelations) His innovations did not stem enough red ink.
And he has not taken any ownership of the devastating ensuing cuts. He's making Murray own it alone.
February 4, 2026 at 11:18 PM
I agree, David. That he didn't show up to face the staff today makes it impossible to believe that he cares about the Post.
"This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction."
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 6:03 PM
"This is a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction."
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
Former Washington Post editor Marty Baron dismembers Jeff Bezos.
"The Post’s metro section will shrink, and the books section will close..." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
The Washington Post is shrinking the part that's about the DC area where people, you know... live. Makes sense, right?
[gift link and sarcasm]
The Washington Post is shrinking the part that's about the DC area where people, you know... live. Makes sense, right?
[gift link and sarcasm]
Washington Post Begins Laying Off More Than 300 Journalists
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:38 PM
"The Post’s metro section will shrink, and the books section will close..." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
The Washington Post is shrinking the part that's about the DC area where people, you know... live. Makes sense, right?
[gift link and sarcasm]
The Washington Post is shrinking the part that's about the DC area where people, you know... live. Makes sense, right?
[gift link and sarcasm]