National Enquirer, mired in catch-and-kill, is sold
The National Enquirer, the scandal-plagued tabloid that engaged in “catch-and-kill” practices to bury stories about Donald Trump during his presidential campaign, was sold.
VVIP is also buying the National Examiner and Globe from magazine publisher a360 Media in an all-cash deal, although exact financial terms have not been disclosed.
In December 2018, the parent company of publications including National Enquirer, Us Weekly and In Touch admitted engaging in a dubious journalistic practice known as “catch-and-kill” to help Donald Trump become president .
Federal prosecutors announced at the time that they had agreed not to prosecute American Media Inc. for secretly supporting Trump’s campaign by paying $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal for the rights to her story about an alleged affair paid with Trump. The company then deliberately pushed McDougal’s story out until after the election.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also accused the newspaper of trying to bribe him in 2019 with embarrassing “below the belt” photos he sent to his girlfriend.
American Media sold the National Enquirer and some other publications to Hudson News Distributors in April 2019.
VVIP Ventures is a joint venture between Vinco Ventures Inc., a digital media and content technology holding company, and ICON Publishing.
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https://www.local10.com/business/2023/02/06/national-enquirer-ensnared-in-catch-and-kill-is-sold/ National Enquirer, mired in catch-and-kill, is sold
