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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Amazon, the Washington Post and the Future of News

    When the founder of Amazon bought the Washington Post, the world of journalism dropped its collective jaw. Nobody even knew it was up for sale. At $250 million, the price is high — but it's only 1% of Jeff Bezos' personal fortune. So, who is Bezos, and what does he have in mind?

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    When the founder of Amazon bought the Washington Post, the world of journalism dropped its collective jaw. Nobody even knew it was up for sale. At $250 million, the price is high — but it's only 1% of Jeff Bezos' personal fortune. So, who is Bezos, and what does he have in mind? Opinions range from altruist out to rescue traditional news from digital destruction, to digital tycoon looking for power and influence. Beyond that, what's the potential for one of America's most creative capitalists to re-invent journalism in the long term?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is Jeff Bezos a Threat or a Savior to Journalism?
    1. 0:00Justice Department Sues to Block US Air-American Merger
    2. 8:13Amazon, the Washington Post and the Future of NewsYou’re reading this
    3. 42:42Can Brain Activity Explain Near-Death Experiences?
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Nick Wingfield

      New York Times

    • KCRW placeholder

      John Harris

      Politico

    • KCRW placeholder

      Tom Foremski

      Silicon Valley Watcher

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is Jeff Bezos a Threat or a Savior to Journalism?
    1. 0:00Justice Department Sues to Block US Air-American Merger
    2. 8:13Amazon, the Washington Post and the Future of NewsYou’re reading this
    3. 42:42Can Brain Activity Explain Near-Death Experiences?
    Back to To the Point