I am amazed this hasn’t stirred more of a debate. The Washington Post Company told two parties interested in buying Newsweek that they shouldn’t bother making an offer because they are ideologically unacceptable. I have no problem with people or corporations selling to whomever they want. But the Washington Post Co. is a public traded company. Were shareholders asked whether it was okay with them for potentially higher bidders to be locked out of the process for ideological reasons? If they were, fine. If they weren’t, that’s outrageous.

I also liked this bit in the Times write up:

That is the main reason the Post Company decided not to entertain offers from Newsmax or Mr. Ritchie, according to these people. The conservative political ideology of Newsmax’s chief executive, Christopher Ruddy, is at odds with the editorial bent of Newsweek, which strives to be apolitical in its news coverage though is often criticized as left-leaning.

This wasn’t true even when Newsweek used to say it was true. But Newsweek doesn’t even claim to be apolitical anymore! Why should the Times bother carrying water for a myth about Newsweek not even Newsweek is willing to perpetuate? Don’t they remember that Newsweek editor Jon Meacham & Co redesigned it as a magazine aimed at people like Jon Meacham?