[bmelton]

> They called it "rich criticism" coming from WaPo. That says nothing of the author.

To AJ's point, it also says nothing of the article, which is I think the point he's working towards. If your comment speaks neither to the author nor the article, then unless there is a reason to point out a conflict of interests, then it becomes a low-to-middle brow dismissal of the article in question without referencing it.

There are of course cases in which it is important to make conflicts visible. "Bezos Owned Paper Investigates Bezos Owned Book Company, Finds Everything Perfect" is too perhaps too obviously a conflict of interest, but merely pointing out the association everyone already knows is of low value without a reason to point it out, and I see none here.

Yes, there is cause to worry about Bezos putting his finger on the scales of reporting. That said it is virtually impossible for him to be involved with every article published in every section of their paper. So, TLDR, it's probably worth it to save allegations of bias for when they bear on the discussion.