Revealed: How Birthers Saved Journalism!

Forget the Tablet and metered paywalls, here is an entirely new way to save journalism (or some faction thereof). Perhaps you are familiar with WorldNetDaily.com the “must-read website for anyone who hates Barack Obama.” According to the LA Times, the site is on track to pull in $10 million annually. Curious how they did it? Birthers, baby. This from WorldNetDaily founder Joseph Farah:

Revenue is on track to hit $10 million annually, Farah says. (That figure could not be independently verified.) His success comes in no small part from the storehouse of “birther” T-shirts, books, DVDs and postcards for sale in his virtual “superstore.”

WorldNetDaily’s book division publishes titles from high-profile conservatives such as former Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a leader in the anti-illegal-immigration movement, and former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, whose role in George W. Bush’s disputed 2000 presidential victory made her a conservative heroine. Perhaps one of Farah’s greatest assets is the WorldNetDaily mailing list, recently rented by the Republican National Committee for a fundraising appeal.

His business model in short: “Hire reporters to develop explosive headlines that draw a motivated audience, then sell those readers merchandise that capitalizes on their anger and suspicion.” Then make t-shirts! Perhaps the New York Times should reconsider charging customers, no doubt there are plenty of conspiracies yet to plumb.

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