Elon Musk funds Trump — and owns Twitter. What does that mean?
Channels with Peter Kafka
Deep Dive
Why does Elon Musk's ownership of Twitter and his support for Donald Trump matter?
Elon Musk's ownership of Twitter and his support for Trump matter because Twitter is a major communications platform with significant influence over information dissemination. Musk's actions, such as setting up an election integrity community that amplifies unverified rumors and right-wing content, can poison the information environment and set the stage for election denial and misinformation.
Why is misinformation often about keeping people in their worldview rather than changing it?
Misinformation is often about reinforcing existing beliefs rather than changing them. It acts as an inoculation against outside information that could challenge or disrupt people's worldviews. This was evident in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, where people shared and defended AI-generated images as real, even when confronted with evidence to the contrary.
Why did Griffin Gaffney start the San Francisco Standard?
Griffin Gaffney started the San Francisco Standard because he felt that existing local news outlets did not adequately address the city's issues or cater to the needs of the average reader. He wanted to create a news product that would provide in-depth, engaging, and accessible reporting on San Francisco's local issues.
Why does the San Francisco Standard plan to introduce a paywall?
The San Francisco Standard plans to introduce a paywall to monetize their product and build a sustainable business model. They believe that their audience, which is primarily based in the Bay Area, will find the content and additional offerings, such as events and local business partnerships, worth paying for.
Why does Griffin Gaffney think direct traffic and newsletters are more important than social media for distribution?
Griffin Gaffney believes that direct traffic and newsletters are more important than social media for distribution because they focus on building loyalty and a direct relationship with readers. This approach ensures that readers come back to the site organically, rather than relying on the unpredictable algorithms of social platforms.
Why does Griffin Gaffney want his newsroom employees to be involved in the business side?
Griffin Gaffney wants his newsroom employees to be involved in the business side to ensure a shared understanding and alignment on the company's goals. While maintaining editorial integrity, he believes that everyone should contribute to building a valuable product and business, rather than operating in silos.
Why does Griffin Gaffney think the firewall between editorial and business is important but not absolute?
Griffin Gaffney thinks the firewall between editorial and business is important to maintain reporting integrity but not absolute. He believes that some interaction and shared language are necessary to create a product that resonates with the audience and builds a sustainable business.
Why is Mike Moritz's involvement in the San Francisco Standard unique?
Mike Moritz's involvement in the San Francisco Standard is unique because he has both a deep background in journalism and the financial resources to support the publication. His commitment to doing journalism right, combined with his venture capital experience, allows the Standard to experiment and grow in ways that other local news startups cannot.
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