Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post, defended the newspaper’s decision to stop endorsing presidential candidates. He argued that presidential endorsements do not influence voters’ decisions and instead create perceptions of bias. Bezos stated that ending endorsements is a principled decision to maintain credibility. The Post faced backlash from readers, staff, and social media influencers after announcing the change. NPR reported a loss of digital subscribers following the announcement. Bezos acknowledged that the decision could have been handled better and denied any quid pro quo with political candidates. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining the newspaper’s independence and relevance in today’s media landscape.
Several members of the Post’s editorial board resigned in protest of the decision, believing it was crucial for the newspaper to endorse a candidate over the perceived threat of Donald Trump to democracy and the free press. The Los Angeles Times also decided not to endorse Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, with reports suggesting that the owner blocked the editorial page from endorsing either candidate. Bezos highlighted the importance of the Post as a credible, trusted, and independent voice in today’s world, emphasizing the need to adapt and stay competitive in the changing media environment.
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