The parent asked whether embracing quality journalism led to failure:

"Out of curiosity, which companies embraced quality journalism and failed because of it?"

Advertising revenue stolen by so-called "tech" companies acting as intermediaries (middlemen) had nothing to do with staff reductions, i.e., "failure"

Is that what this reply is suggesting

What if the success or failure of news organisations isn't necessarily a result of the quality of the journalism they produce

What if there is some other factor

For example, control over distribution (losing it to middlemen)