Vice Media was a digital-media pioneer, built on provocative journalism and the promise of reaching younger audiences, a boon for advertisers. In its heyday, the company was valued at $5.7 billion. But last week, Vice Media said it would stop publishing content on its website and plans to cut hundreds of jobs. WSJ’s Keach Hagey and Alexandra Bruell on the rise and fall of Vice.



Further Reading: 

- Vice Media to Stop Publishing on Vice.com, Plans to Cut Hundreds of Jobs 

- Vice Media to Be Acquired Out of Bankruptcy by Fortress, Soros Fund 

- Essence in Talks to Buy Refinery29 From Embattled Publisher Vice Media 







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The Downfall of Vice

The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.

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On Monday, Bob Bakish stepped down as CEO of Paramount, one of America’s most iconic media companies. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel reports on how Bakish’s relationship with Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount, has deteriorated amidst one of the messiest merger dramas in recent history. 



Further Reading: 

- A Media Heiress’s Bid to Sell Sets Off Mayhem Inside Paramount 

- How Bob Bakish, the Anti-Mogul CEO, Struggled to Rescue Paramount 

- Shari Redstone’s Path to Power 



Further Listening: 

- Why Buying Paramount Global Won’t Be Easy 



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Mayhem at Paramount as Merger Looms

Donald Trump's allies have drafted plans to curb the Federal Reserve’s independence, should Trump win a second term. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia unpacks the proposals, which include giving the president a say in interest-rate decisions.



Further Reading:

-Trump Allies Draw Up Plans to Blunt Fed’s Independence 

-Why Inflation Is Biden’s Most Stubborn Political Problem 

-Even If the Fed Cuts, the Days of Ultralow Rates Are Over 



Further Listening:

-Why the Fed Is Steering Away From Rate Cuts 

-The Man Who Waged War on Inflation 

-The President, the Fed, and the Cut 

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Trump Allies Draft Plans to Rein in the Fed

For almost a decade, Amazon staff went undercover on Walmart, eBay and other marketplaces selling products under the guise of a company called ‘Big River.’ WSJ’s Dana Mattioli reports on the secret arm of Amazon that surreptitiously gathers intelligence on its competitors.



Further Reading: 

-Inside Amazon’s Secret Operation to Gather Intel on Rivals 

-Inside Amazon’s Push to Crack Trader Joe’s—and Dominate Everything 



Further Listening: 

-TikTok Wants to Be More Like Amazon. Amazon Wants to Be More Like TikTok. 

-What Is Amazon’s Secret ‘Project Nessie’? 

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Amazon’s Secret Operation to Gather Intel on Rivals

Jamie Dimon discusses his concerns about the future of the economy, the effect of overseas wars and the importance of U.S. leadership in a wide-ranging interview with WSJ’s Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker.



Further Watching:

-Jamie Dimon on the Economy, Geopolitical Risks and AI: Full Interview 



Further Listening: 

-Why the Fed Is Steering Away From Rate Cuts 

-Janet Yellen on Inflation and the U.S. Economy 

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JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon on What's Next for the Economy

With a fresh round of pro-Palestinian protests sweeping campuses nationwide, university administrators are cracking down. WSJ’s Melissa Korn explains what students are demanding and what it could mean for campus life going forward.



Further Reading: 

-At Columbia, Discontent Grows Over Shafik’s Handling of Crisis 

-Pro-Palestinian Protests Force Colleges to Rethink Graduation Plans 



Further Listening: 

-Big Donors Clash with Universities Over Antisemitism, Free Speech 

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The Downfall of Vice

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