4 ms·

Reports the news outlet owned by Jeff Bezos

colinbartlett 9y ago
Your quip implies some conflict of interest or nefarious intent, however: 1. They disclose that like they do in every article that mentions Amazon. 2. Many other outlets are reporting this. (Another one is on the front page of HN as I write.) 3. Do people honestly believe that Jeff Bezos exerts much, if any, editorial control over The Post?
- kelukelugames 9y ago
  As much as Rupert Murdoch. I saw someone else on HN comment. The editor is competent enough to figure out the owner's views without asking.
  - endlessvoid94 9y ago
    That assumes quite a simplistic management structure.
objclxt 9y ago
I don't really know what the point you're trying to make is? All the price cut information is from a press release[1] that was reported on by NYT, CNN, MSNBC, WSJ, amongst others. [1]: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2295514 http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-ne...
- lvs 9y ago
  You know exactly the point he's trying to make, since you made a counterargument to that point. The point is obviously that there is a conflict-of-interest when a publication reports on its owner's business activities. Not much to argue about it really. The conflict-of-interest is by definition.
  - minimaxir 9y ago
    And the remedy for a conflict-of-interest is disclosure, which is done as early the second paragraph.
    - jack9 9y ago
      > the remedy for a conflict-of-interest is disclosure In what arena is disclosure a remedy for conflict of interest? Recusal is the remedy.
  - mikeash 9y ago
    What would be the consequences of a conflict of interest in this case?
    - lvs 9y ago
      It's not so hard to figure out. The euphemism everyone's apparently accepted is "native advertising."
      - mikeash 9y ago
        So the worry is that they wouldn't be reporting this otherwise?
hkmurakami 9y ago
It's also reported by WSJ earlier in the day. Standard PR engine in action.
btian 9y ago
That gives me even more confidence the story is correct.
- tarboreus 9y ago
  "Correct?" I'm sure any numbers in it are accurate. But these stories are essentially press releases. > “The two companies will together pursue the vision of making Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food affordable for everyone,” they said in a joint statement. “Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices starting Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples across its stores, with more to come.” and > “Everybody should be able to eat Whole Foods Market quality — we will lower prices without compromising Whole Foods Market’s long-held commitment to the highest standards,” Jeff Wilke, chief executive of Amazon Worldwide Consumer, said in a statement. “There is significant work and opportunity ahead, and we’re thrilled to get started.” Some hard-hitting journalism here, especially considering the first thing Amazon is doing is leveraging their juggernaut status to lower prices and undercut competitors. Sure, we'll see "blistering competition" now, but when these other businesses falter and only Amazon is left standing, there won't be any news stories trumpeting the fact. Amazon is being particularly serious about PR on thsi one since they've gone so deep into anti-trust territory, and because they know that the false signifier of price that has been used in anti-trust cases for the last few decades is their shield against claims that they're a monopoly.

Your quip implies some conflict of interest or nefarious intent, however: 1. They disclose that like they do in every article that mentions Amazon. 2. Many other outlets are reporting this. (Another one is on the front page of HN as I write.) 3. Do people honestly believe that Jeff Bezos exerts much, if any, editorial control over The Post?

kelukelugames 9y ago
As much as Rupert Murdoch. I saw someone else on HN comment. The editor is competent enough to figure out the owner's views without asking.
- endlessvoid94 9y ago
  That assumes quite a simplistic management structure.

objclxt 9y ago

I don't really know what the point you're trying to make is? All the price cut information is from a press release[1] that was reported on by NYT, CNN, MSNBC, WSJ, amongst others. [1]: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2295514 http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-ne...

lvs 9y ago
You know exactly the point he's trying to make, since you made a counterargument to that point. The point is obviously that there is a conflict-of-interest when a publication reports on its owner's business activities. Not much to argue about it really. The conflict-of-interest is by definition.
- minimaxir 9y ago
  And the remedy for a conflict-of-interest is disclosure, which is done as early the second paragraph.
  - jack9 9y ago
    > the remedy for a conflict-of-interest is disclosure In what arena is disclosure a remedy for conflict of interest? Recusal is the remedy.
- mikeash 9y ago
  What would be the consequences of a conflict of interest in this case?
  - lvs 9y ago
    It's not so hard to figure out. The euphemism everyone's apparently accepted is "native advertising."
    - mikeash 9y ago
      So the worry is that they wouldn't be reporting this otherwise?

hkmurakami 9y ago

It's also reported by WSJ earlier in the day. Standard PR engine in action.

btian 9y ago

That gives me even more confidence the story is correct.

tarboreus 9y ago
"Correct?" I'm sure any numbers in it are accurate. But these stories are essentially press releases. > “The two companies will together pursue the vision of making Whole Foods Market’s high-quality, natural and organic food affordable for everyone,” they said in a joint statement. “Whole Foods Market will offer lower prices starting Monday on a selection of best-selling grocery staples across its stores, with more to come.” and > “Everybody should be able to eat Whole Foods Market quality — we will lower prices without compromising Whole Foods Market’s long-held commitment to the highest standards,” Jeff Wilke, chief executive of Amazon Worldwide Consumer, said in a statement. “There is significant work and opportunity ahead, and we’re thrilled to get started.” Some hard-hitting journalism here, especially considering the first thing Amazon is doing is leveraging their juggernaut status to lower prices and undercut competitors. Sure, we'll see "blistering competition" now, but when these other businesses falter and only Amazon is left standing, there won't be any news stories trumpeting the fact. Amazon is being particularly serious about PR on thsi one since they've gone so deep into anti-trust territory, and because they know that the false signifier of price that has been used in anti-trust cases for the last few decades is their shield against claims that they're a monopoly.