If It Bleeds, It Leads -- If It Enrages, It Engages

Old media wisdom, updated for the new media.

I heard the second half for the first time yesterday, but the earliest reference I could find online is from commenter En Passant at Popehat, in a comment to a post about Nancy Grace:

So Grace's behavior furthers her business. If it bleeds, it leads. If it enrages, it engages. If the jury acquits, you have a fit. Savaging the victim may be rank, but you can take it to the bank.

Comments

[Sarcastr0]

Oof, I need more coffee to deal with that amount of coupletting this early.

[RabbiHarveyWeinstein]

Another great example of yellow journalism explained by Glenn Greenwald.
https://greenwald.substack.com/p/the-false-and-exaggerated-claims

[rsteinmetz]

I can't figure out why someone was reading a Popehat comment from July 17, 2013 yesterday.

[gormadoc]

2013 is just four posts or so ago in Popehat years.

[Eugene Volokh]

I heard the second half, wanted to blog about it, decided to try to find the original source.

[Tall Paul]

I miss Nancy. She was so over-the-top that she got more laughs from me than most stand-up comedians.

[Cal Cetín]

Here are the top 7 topless photos of celebrities - Number 3 will SHOCK you! Click here for more: _____

[TangoDelta]

Sadly many politicians play exactly the same game to get reelected with far dire consequences for everyone else. It seems the proverbial 'grain of salt' was lost long ago in the final teardrop of sanity.

[Doug Huffman]

Eschew legacy and virtual ‘news’. Get your news over the back fence or from the bartender or pastor. ‘News’ is merely click-bait, specially if it’s not in the lede.