Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and the Washington Post is not my usual reading. It’s extremely contemporary and is perhaps the most recently published piece of non-fiction I’ve ever read.
But as a former student of journalism, and as my friends currently introduce me as a “Features Writer & Documentary Conversationalist” which could arguably be at least tangential to journalism, this is a book that’s about much more than the sum of the three elements listed in it’s subtitle.
This is a book about the future of journalism, about decision-making, and perhaps a call to strengthen our resolve for “objective truth.”
It is a chronicle of former Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron’s time at The Post, but not just that time. It is also a culmination of a career in journalism, documented throughout the book with mentions of his time at The Miami Herald, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe. The former Pulitzer Prize-winning editor explains not only what happened but why, how, and what it means in the greater context of journalism.
For me, this was a challengingly optimistic book of the current events and the undercurrent of attacks on truth, journalism, and democracy. It shines a light on the people and principles who uphold the fourth estate admirably and in the face of an enormous unprecedented opposition to objective truth.
Working to uncover and report objective truth in the face of arguably abject horrors, is a fairly thankless job, you would think. But Baron has included messages from readers of The Post that were heartening to read. And while some may wrongly believe that the subtitles of Trump and Bezos date this book, I would argue the content and subject matter is timeless. No doubt this will be suggested or required reading for future students of journalism.
As someone who used to sit in a college classroom and learn about journalism, I found this book fascinating when it describes how the newsroom and the paper itself was turned around from “the way it used to be” to a new digital normal. The changes that Bezos wrought were not unique to The Post, and one could argue they aren’t even unique to journalism. Many older industries continue to struggle with the digital paradox of the always-evolving future and the stoic nature of the way things have always been.
That last point underscores just how timeless and relevant this book may prove to be. In all industries across the globe and in unimaginable ways, “that’s the way things have always been” has come up in stark contrast to the ever-changing nature of technology and culture, which is now moving faster than ever. The nuance that Baron demonstrates, maintaining old school standards while embracing new technology and trends, shines as a beacon for understanding.
Nuance may be the one thing lost more than ever in an age where objective truth requires column inches and the average attention span is likely measured in millimeters. Still, it is worth seeking this out if you want to know where journalism is right now and where it may be heading.
Is it in good hands? One could argue that Martin Baron is one of the last few greats of a different era, but that thinking is too defeatist. I think he’s shown the path forward for all, and we have to hope more people not only embrace but also adhere to his wisdom and experience..
I recommend that past, present, and future students of journalism read this thought provoking deep dive into the craft.