During a recent legal proceeding, Trump's attorney questioned David Pecker, the former head of American Media Inc. (AMI), about the company's financial motives. Pecker confirmed that AMI was indeed operated to generate profits, dispelling any notion that it functioned as a charity.
One key aspect of AMI's business strategy, as revealed in the exchange, was the practice of purchasing stories. When asked by the attorney, Pecker acknowledged that acquiring stories was part of the company's model. This approach, commonly known as 'checkbook journalism,' involves paying for exclusive content to attract readership.
Moreover, the discussion shed light on AMI's use of source agreements as a standard practice. These agreements grant the company control over the dissemination of information, allowing AMI to dictate how and when certain stories are released to the public.
Overall, the dialogue between Trump's attorney and Pecker provided insights into the operational tactics employed by AMI. The acknowledgment of AMI's profit-driven nature, along with its strategies of purchasing stories and implementing source agreements, offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the media organization.