I think his point was more well-intentioned. If writers wanted to quickly get an issue out to print (or publish), they could make it easily readable at <400 wor

I think his point was more well-intentioned. If writers wanted to quickly get an issue out to print (or publish), they could make it easily readable at <400 words. But if it's a tell-all, he gives them full authority to make it a long piece. If it's a particularly boring subject then maybe the writers will start making those stories shorter? In that case, the important details would still be there, just not as well explained. I don't think this restricts their journalism at all.