What Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos said on paper not endorsing a presidential candidate: It creates a perception of ...

Jeff Bezos , owner of The Washington Post , has openly defended the newspaper's decision to refrain from endorsing a presidential candidate in the 2024 election , arguing that such endorsements create a damaging "perception of bias." In a recent op-ed, Bezos wrote, "What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. A perception of non-independence. Ending them is a principled decision, and it’s the right one."

The decision marked a significant departure from The Post’s tradition of endorsing presidential candidates for over three decades, a move some critics argue weakens the paper’s role in upholding democratic values. Bezos expressed deep concerns about the public's dwindling trust in the media, claiming that "Our profession is now the least trusted of all."

In his op-ed, Bezos drew a parallel between election processes and journalism, noting that newspapers, like voting machines, must both operate accurately and be perceived as accurate. This distinction, he argued, is essential but currently lacking in the media landscape. "Most people believe the media is biased. Anyone who doesn’t see this is paying scant attention to reality".

Bezos acknowledged that while the decision not to endorse a candidate is unlikely to transform public perceptions overnight, it represents "a meaningful step in the right direction" towards building trust. He admitted the timing was less than ideal, revealing that the paper's management made the decision just weeks before the election, which he described as "inadequate planning."

Bezos, said that the move is part of a larger battle to protect credible journalism amid rising misinformation. "The world needs a credible, trusted, independent voice," he said.

The Amazon CEO concluded with a call for renewed purpose, declaring that he would not let The Post fade into "irrelevance," stating, "Now more than ever, the world needs a credible, trusted, independent voice."

Backlash and resignations

The decision has stirred controversy within The Post, leading to criticism from staff and readers alike. Veteran columnist Robert Kagan, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, resigned, while former editor Marty Baron condemned the move as "cowardice." Critics have questioned Bezos’s motivations, noting his business ties and history of clashes with Trump, and argue that the decision undermines The Post’s responsibility to hold public figures accountable. This frustration extended to The Post’s readership, as NPR reported that over 200,000 digital subscribers have cancelled subscriptions in protest.

Earlier, Publisher and chief executive officer of the paper, William Lewis framed the decision as a return to The Post's early traditions, explaining to staff that the paper aimed to create an "independent space" free from political sway. However, Lewis acknowledged that readers may interpret the decision as an implicit endorsement or condemnation of a candidate, but reiterated that it aligns with The Post's principles of integrity and independence.

Bezos dismissed claims that any political agenda influenced the decision, recounting an incident on the day of the announcement when Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp unexpectedly met with former President Trump. “I sighed when I found out,” Bezos noted, “because I knew it would provide ammunition to those who would like to frame this as anything other than a principled decision.”