Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of The Washington Post, defended the newspaper’s decision to stop endorsing presidential candidates, citing the move as a way to enhance credibility and combat perceptions of bias. Bezos argued that presidential endorsements have no impact on election outcomes and instead create a perception of non-independence. The decision to end endorsements was made by Bezos and came after the publisher announced the change, leading to backlash from readers and staff members.
Despite losing digital subscribers and facing criticism, Bezos maintained that the decision was principled and necessary for the publication’s future. He denied any quid pro quo with Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump and emphasized the importance of maintaining a credible and independent voice in the media landscape. Bezos acknowledged that the decision could have been handled better in terms of timing.
The decision not to endorse a presidential candidate was met with resignations from members of the editorial board who believed it was crucial for the newspaper to formally back Harris over Trump, who they viewed as a threat to democracy and press freedom. The Los Angeles Times also decided not to endorse either candidate in the upcoming election. Bezos vowed to continue ensuring the Post remains relevant and competitive in the changing media landscape, emphasizing the importance of an independent and trusted voice in journalism.
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