Nothing-New Coverage, From the Murdochs to Friends of Jeffrey: And, Who Really Cares Anymore?

Gabriel Sherman sure did have a fix on Roger Ailes and Fox. Obviously he had direct access to sources. Much that was new to us was in his blockbuster book "The Loudest Voice in the Room." 

So fearful was Ailes of that detailed expose that his personal public relations guy Bob Dilenschneider, on a stealth basis, took out a major ad promoting a vanity book about Ailes published a whole year earlier (Zev Chafes' "Roger Ailes: Off Camera.") The lame trick was outed. That increased attention for Sherman's brilliant investigative reporting. How I thought about Ailes after that caper? It was: Run, rabbit, run.

Unlike "The Loudest" which was a best-seller, Sherman's recent "Bonfire of the Murdochs" is a disappointment. There's nothing new. That was expected, since so much about that dynasty and the nepo babies came out in "Succession." Also, Tom Wolfe had already made hay with the concept of "bonfire." Recall his blockbuster "Bonfire of the Vanities" about Wall Street.

I didn't expect much from "Bonfire of the Murdochs." I didn't get much. A few days ago I checked rankings on Amazon. The book was in the 30,000s. Not great. Today it's down in the 44,000s. Worse. 

Is this the syndrome of trying to milk what was a big story, without introducing anything new? 

It's happening also with the Friends of Jeffrey saga. 

Here is my article about the Times vomiting back up lots of that and the same for the windy recount by FT. In the analysis there seems to be nothing new. 

We already knew all about Leon Black's financial transactions with Epstein and how lawyer Brad Karp made nice with the monster. Both took massive reputational hits and historically that had been enough for journalism types to move on. Leave Black, Karp and all the rest alone. Actually, not many really care anymore. We are too in-angst about money since the Iran war. Will the whole thing come down?

Unless there are inconsistencies or new information in the April testimony before the House Oversight Committee by Black, along with Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler, Epstein everything probably has peaked. Legacy journalists should have gotten the memo. 

The reason they might not have read that memo is the desperation in the sector. It's becoming a anachronism, replaced by social, newsletters, influencers and more. The New York Times survives with recipes for upscale cuisine and games. 

In the tarot there's an image for this kind of state of being. It's the Nine of Wands. The creature is lost, lacking in confidence and can't figure any way forward.



In business, the image is of a yesterday. Like analog.


Meanwhile, the Murdochs and Friends of Jeffrey enjoy their financial security. They had made their money. Journalists, likely not. And, as I hammer for clients: For you and me, it's about financial survival right now. Ensure revenue coming in. If journalists keep coming out with nothing new the revenue will halt. 

Earning a Good Living in 2026 Involves Mental Combat. The enemy is usually your own thinking.

Complimentary consultation. No Pressure. Solid Guidance. Contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com. 


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