Counterpoint

Note: Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos earned plaudits for his $10M Super Bowl LIII “Democracy Dies in Darkness” ad on the importance of journalism, but not everyone at the Post cheered.

“Compared to Super Bowl ads, this expense is a pittance for the Post but real money to the young people already working two jobs. But that’s the Post’s owner, who has perfected the art of buffing his image as a defender of journalism while quietly screwing the people who do it.” —Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post union representative.

“I’m really proud to work at a newspaper that does this vital work. But maybe next $10 million could go toward better health benefits, parental leave, equal pay, and more jobs for reporters?” —Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post reporter. 

See Gerry Smith, “Bezos’s Post Ad, Reportedly a Late Switch, Draws Ire From Staff,” Bloomberg, Feb. 4, 2019.

• Editorial Comment: There’s always something.

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“I don’t think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” —Tom Stoppard