The Washington Post has sparked significant outrage among its current and former staff members, as well as prominent figures in the American media, after announcing on Friday that it would not endorse any candidate in the upcoming presidential election. This marks the first time in over 30 years that the newspaper’s editorial board will refrain from making an endorsement in a presidential race.
Publisher Will Lewis shared the news, stating that the decision reflects a shift in the publication’s approach to future elections. However, many staffers and journalists expressed concern that this choice was heavily influenced by the paper's owner, billionaire Jeff Bezos.
Columnist Karen Attiah condemned the decision, calling it an "absolute stab in the back." She lamented the insult to those who have dedicated their careers to advocating for human rights and democracy.
The union representing the editorial staff and reporters expressed their "deeply concerned" stance, especially given that the announcement came just 11 days before a crucial election. They emphasized that the editorial board's role is to provide guidance on significant societal and cultural issues, including endorsements of candidates.
Reports indicated that an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris had already been drafted, but the union claimed the decision not to publish it was made by Bezos. Since the announcement, the union has noted a wave of cancellations from long-time subscribers, with about 2,000 reportedly dropping their subscriptions within 24 hours.
Former executive editor Marty Baron criticized the decision as “cowardice” that sacrifices democracy. He expressed concern that Donald Trump might interpret this move as an opportunity to intimidate Bezos further. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Maraniss lamented that the newspaper he has valued for nearly five decades is “dying in darkness.”
Former editor Robert McCartney described the decision as "appalling," especially given the stakes in the current political climate. Additionally, it was reported that Robert Kagan, the newspaper’s editor-at-large, chose to resign from the editorial board in light of the announcement.
Susan Rice, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, labeled the decision “hypocritical,” referencing the paper’s slogan, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” which was adopted under Bezos’s ownership in 2017. She criticized the move as inconsistent with the paper's mission to hold those in power accountable.
The controversy gained traction on social media, with “Democracy Dies in Darkness” and “WaPo” trending on X. Reports indicated that the Washington Post's chief technology officer had to mobilize engineers to block reader inquiries regarding the decision.
As the reaction continues to unfold, the Washington Post finds itself at a critical juncture, with its reputation and credibility facing significant scrutiny in an already polarized political landscape.
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