Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of Amazon and The Washington Post, defended the newspaper’s decision to stop endorsing presidential candidates in order to maintain credibility and combat perceptions of bias. Bezos argued that endorsements do not influence voters and can create the perception of non-independence. The decision was made by Bezos following an announcement by the Post’s publisher that the newspaper would no longer endorse presidential candidates. The move sparked backlash from readers, staff members, and online influencers, with the newspaper losing digital subscribers and facing resignations from editorial board members. Bezos denied any political influence or quid pro quo in the decision to stop endorsements, emphasizing the need for a trusted and independent voice in journalism. He acknowledged that the decision could have been communicated better and expressed a commitment to ensuring the newspaper’s relevance in the modern media landscape. The resigning editorial board members believed it was crucial for the Post to formally endorse Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, whom they viewed as a threat to democracy and the free press. The Post’s non-endorsement followed a similar decision by the Los Angeles Times, indicating a trend of major newspapers abstaining from endorsing presidential candidates.
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