An update on my reply, from Snopes:
The following is from Snopes about the above. Draw your own conclusions, why the difference in WSJ’s headlines:
This image was passed around on the Internet accompanied by the claim that the Wall Street Journal had deliberately published one headline, "Trump Softens His Tone," in a pro-Trump market area in an attempt to sway readers away from the the GOP nominee, and the other headline, "Trump Talks Tough on Wall," in a non-Trump market area to bolster support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
However, these opposing headline editions were not distributed to different political or geographic markets, nor were they intended to influence voters.
This picture shows two editions of the Wall Street Journal published at different times of the day. The paper on the left came off the press early in the day, while the paper on the right was produced later in the day. Print newspapers sometimes undergo revisions throughout their daily runs and typically employ marks to distinguish the various editions — in this case the differing WSJ editions are distinguishable by the number of stars displayed in the masthead:
Snopes has its own credibility issues.
Methinks the truth lies somewhere in between.
Not that the WSJ isn't capable of such tactics. Still interesting.
With all respect, Scopes does not tell entire story, and its omissions are deceptive.
WSJ does print different editions regionally. The purpose is to let regional advertisers concentrate their advertising dollars where they will do some good.
There are three major editions, East, Central and Western. Within those three editions, their are 21 Regions.
For example, the East Edition has 7 regions, the
New England, Greater New York, Philadelphia, Washington/Baltimore, Southern, South Atlantic and Florida regions
The purpose is so news affecting those regions can be highlighted and advertisers can concentrate on potential customers within their marketing area.
For example, a yacht broker, law firm or hospital in Miami can save money by advertising only in the East Edition, or to be more specific, the Florida region.
The headline and story shown in the picture could have easily been changed to fit the audience and attract more readers..... and therefore advertisers.
As a matter of collaboration, when they changed the story completely, they didn’t print a retractions for the first one!
More advertisers means more profits, and remember, newspapers have only one purpose... to make money for the people who own the paper.
