Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, defended the newspaper’s decision to stop endorsing presidential candidates to maintain credibility and combat perceptions of political bias. The move came after the publisher announced they would not endorse candidates in future elections, sparking backlash and a loss of digital subscribers. Bezos denied claims that the decision was influenced by political figures and emphasized the importance of maintaining the paper’s independence. He acknowledged that the change could have been handled better but reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the publication relevant in the face of new media trends. Several members of the editorial board resigned in protest, believing it was crucial for the Post to formally back Vice President Kamala Harris over ex-President Donald Trump, whom they viewed as a threat to democracy. The decision not to endorse any candidate followed a similar move by the Los Angeles Times, which reportedly faced resistance from its owner in backing a candidate. Bezos emphasized the importance of a credible, trusted, and independent voice in journalism, underlining the significance of The Washington Post in the global media landscape.
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