1. Notes

Melongate Scandal

In early 2023 there was a small scandal revolving around the The Daily Slice and its branding, later dubbed "melongate" due to the actions of Jude Bragshaw, the Editor-in-Chief. With an update to its logo for the first time in nearly half a century it was given color, revealing the eponymous slice to be a watermelon rather than the assumed pizza slice. 

Letters flooded in about the situation decrying the choice and demanding change. Nothing would have come of it, and the issue would have been quickly forgotten if not for Bragshaw's public response in a daily publication. Critics regarded it as unprofessional, rude, and altogether irresponsible to be published in anything purporting to be news. However, proponents said it was a bold anti-establishment statement that showed the Daily Bite was unshackled and immune to the rumored gag orders imposed by A.E.G.I.S. regarding certain topics.

Stock price dropped due to Bragshaw's actions, but readership actually increased. Years later analysts would say that this scandal was actually part of the reason for the company's success as it launched it into the mainstream.