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Published May 9, 2016

Recode Decode: Walt Mossberg

Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher dive into their legendary tech journalism careers, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of pivotal Steve Jobs and Bill Gates interactions, the founding of Recode, and the transformative effects of digital media on the industry.
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  • Founding Recode

    The inception of Recode was driven by and 's dissatisfaction with existing tech journalism. They envisioned a platform that prioritized serious journalistic questioning over rehearsed presentations, even challenging tech giants like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to forgo PowerPoints 1. This vision led to the creation of All Things D, a conference and website that aimed to provide continuous, insightful coverage of the tech industry 2.

    We can do a much better job. And what we really found lacking was serious questioning, journalistic questioning of these tech luminaries.

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    Their efforts culminated in the successful launch of Recode, a testament to their commitment to authentic tech journalism.

       

    Entrepreneurial Moves

    's transition from traditional journalism to tech reporting was marked by bold entrepreneurial moves. He left a prestigious position covering the State Department to focus on technology, a decision met with skepticism by figures like James Baker, the then Secretary of State 3. Despite initial doubts, Mossberg's career flourished as he embraced the digital revolution, gaining a higher profile than anticipated 4.

    I thought I would have a lower profile in the world, and of course it turned out exactly the opposite.

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    His journey underscores the potential rewards of pursuing innovative paths in journalism.

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