Honestly with Bari Weiss How ‘Vice’ Went from a $6 Billion Media Empire to Bankruptcy
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May 30, 2024 
Michael Moynihan, a veteran journalist and former national correspondent for Vice, shares insights into the dramatic downfall of Vice Media. Once a $6 billion giant, Vice’s decline was fueled by a shift away from its edgy roots to a focus on identity politics. Moynihan argues that this change bled the company of its original ethos and audience. He reflects on the isolation within the workplace and the struggles of journalists navigating a politicized environment. The conversation delves into the broader implications of these issues for the media landscape.
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Vice's Origins
- Vice began as a punk rock magazine in Montreal in the early 90s, known for its edgy and un-PC content.
- It gained popularity by saying things no one else would, attracting investors interested in its unique demographic reach.
Early Vice Content
- Early Vice content included a video titled "Donkey Fucking" and other shocking material.
- Their approach involved sending skinny, tattooed hipsters into unusual and often dangerous situations, creating a "holy shit" element.
The Dennis Rodman Story
- Vice gained notoriety by securing an interview with Kim Jong-un through Dennis Rodman due to Kim's basketball fandom.
- This exemplified Vice's unconventional approach to journalism and its pursuit of the "holy shit" factor.