Washington Post staffers and liberal critics are taking aim at the “Democracy in Darkness” paper over its decision not to make an endorsement in the presidential race.
staffers are revolting after the “Democracy Dies in Darkness” paper announced it wouldn’t endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
On Friday, Post publisher and CEO William Lewis announced the paper would not be making a presidential endorsement this year, nor in any future presidential election. “We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates”, Lewis declared.
Shortly after, the Guild released a scathing statement condemning the decision.
“We are deeply concerned that The – an American news institution in the nation’s capital – would make the decision to no longer endorse presidential candidates, especially a mere 11 days ahead of an immensely consequential election. The role of an Editorial Board is to do just this: to share opinions on the news impacting our society and culture and endorse candidates to help guide readers”, the Guild said.
“The message from our chief executive, Will Lewis – not from the Editorial Board itself – makes us concerned that management interfered with the work out of members in Editorial”, the Guild continued. “According to our own reporters and Guild members, an endorsement for Harris was already drafted, and the decision not to publish was made by The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos.”
The Guild added: “We are already seeing cancelations from once loyal readers. This decision undercuts the works of our members at a time when we should be building our readers’ trust, not losing it.”
The Guild put up a post with a link encouraging action, saying, “Are you a reader concerned with today’s decision for the Editorial Board to not endorse a candidate this election cycle? Send a letter to CEO and Publisher Will Lewis and Editorial Page Editor David Shipley.”
Post editor at large Robert Kagan resigned because of the decision, and former executive editor Martin “Marty” Baron denounced it as “cowardice.”
“This is cowardice, with democracy as its casualty. @realdonaldtrump will see this as an invitation to further intimidate owner @jeffbezos (and others). Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famed for courage”, Baron wrote on X.
columnist and associate editor Karen Tumulty reposted Baron’s message.
Post climate change reporter Brianna Sacks also retweeted Baron and wrote in reaction to the news of the decision, “We won a Pulitzer for public service for our coverage of the Jan. 6 insurrection.”
A former high-level employee also sided with Baron’s sentiment, calling out the “feckless” decision.
“It very disingenuously draws falls equivalencies”, they told Fox News Digital. “This is not, for example, Kamala Harris vs. Mitt Romney. This is Kamala Harris against someone who tried to disenfranchise the electorate last time.”
“And if you’re going to decide that it’s not the role of an editorial board to endorse, then don’t endorse. Don’t endorse for Senate. Don’t endorse for House. Just don’t endorse”, they continued.
The ex-staffer has been hearing from distressed former colleagues, saying they are “shocked” and “deeply disappointed”, and said current staffers think the explanation that was given is a “fig leaf.
