Bezos Defends Washington Post’s Non-Endorsement Decision Amid Subscription Cancellations
In the wake of a significant backlash, Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos stood firm on the newspaper’s recent decision not to endorse any U.S. presidential candidate for the upcoming election. Following the announcement, more than 200,000 digital subscribers canceled their memberships, amounting to approximately 8% of the paper’s total 2.5 million subscribers.
Reports suggest that the decision inadvertently blocked an endorsement of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, prompting criticism directed at Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and Blue Origin. In an opinion piece published Monday, Bezos emphasized the need for media credibility, noting, "Most people believe the media is biased." He maintained that not endorsing candidates enhances the paper’s independence and combats perceptions of partisanship.
Bezos clarified that no candidates were consulted regarding the decision, which he characterized as principled. “Presidential endorsements do nothing to tip the scales of an election,” he wrote, asserting that they instead create a perception of bias.
The Washington Post’s publisher, William Lewis, also reiterated that the decision stems from a return to the newspaper’s foundational principles, a move that has led to resignations among staff columnists. In a piece responding to the non-endorsement, 20 columnists described it as a "terrible mistake" that contradicts the paper’s editorial integrity.
Despite the growing dissent and significant subscriber losses, the Washington Post has yet to comment further on the situation. As the Nov. 5 election approaches, the ramifications of this decision will likely continue to unfold, affecting both the paper’s standing and its audience’s trust.
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