The recent decision by The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos, not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2020 election has sparked controversy and outrage among liberal circles. In response, Bezos published a rare public statement on the matter, titled “The Hard Truth: Americans Don’t Trust the News Media.” His article addresses the larger issue of eroding media credibility and the role of endorsements in shaping public perception.
According to Bezos, recent surveys have shown a worrying trend of declining trust in media institutions, with journalism now ranked as the least trusted institution in America. This decline can be attributed not only to perceived biases in reporting, but also to the media’s tendency to ignore public perception.
The decision not to endorse Harris, Bezos argues, is a principled one aimed at maintaining the independence and integrity of journalism. Bezos acknowledges the timing of the decision, which coincided with a meeting between a top executive from Blue Origin, another company owned by Bezos, and former President Donald Trump. However, he asserts that there was no quid pro quo involved and that neither campaign was consulted or informed about the decision.
Bezos is aware of the challenges facing his newspaper and the industry as a whole, with the media’s credibility problem being neither isolated nor new. He notes that the media is increasingly talking only to a certain elite, rather than reaching a broader audience. However, with the world in need of a credible and trusted voice, Bezos believes that a newspaper like The Washington Post, based in the capital city of the most important country in the world, can play a crucial role in shaping the public discourse.
Despite backlash and a reported drop in subscriptions, Bezos stands by the decision to not endorse a candidate, citing the need for the media to “exercise new muscles” in order to regain public trust.
It is clear that Bezos is calling out the liberal media’s bias and its detrimental effect on public perception. By acknowledging the decline in media credibility and taking a principled stance against endorsements, Bezos is sending a strong message about the need for genuine independence in journalism.
????BREAKING: Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos speaks out after his paper refused to endorse Kamala Harris for President
“The hard truth: Americans don’t trust the news media” pic.twitter.com/3Dl8OaY4kj
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 29, 2024
The Washington Post’s decision not to endorse Harris may have caused some staff members to resign, but it has also highlighted the need for a change in the way media operates.
It is time for the media to address their credibility problem and start listening to a broader range of voices, rather than catering to a select group. As Bezos eloquently puts it, “Now more than ever, the world needs a credible, trusted, independent voice.” And this voice may just come from an unexpected source, as shown by Bezos and The Washington Post’s bold decision.