In a recent article by Michael Moynihan for The Free Press, the downfall of Vice Media is explored in detail. The company, once a thriving money-printing media colossus, faced its demise in 2017 due to a series of missteps and controversies.
The beginning of the end for Vice came when a New York Times report exposed a sexually charged atmosphere at the company, leading to public condemnation from employees. As a result, co-founder and CEO Shane Smith stepped down and control of the company was transferred to a female CEO, Nancy Dubuc.
Following the Times report, Vice leadership issued profuse apologies for their role in perpetuating sexism in the media industry. However, these apologies did little to salvage the company's reputation.
In an effort to distance themselves from their controversial past, Vice employees demanded the removal of all magazine covers from the walls of their headquarters. This move was seen as a surrender to the growing discontent within the company.
As the company continued to face internal and external scrutiny, Vice began to erase content from their online archives that did not meet their editorial standards. This airbrushing of the past only served to further alienate their workforce and readership.
Ultimately, the downfall of Vice Media serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing psychological safety over journalistic integrity. The company's inability to reckon with the discontent within their ranks led to their demise.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for companies like Vice to learn from their mistakes and prioritize transparency and accountability in order to regain the trust of their audience.