More than 200,000 subscribers have canceled their subscriptions to The Washington Post following the paper’s controversial decision to block the endorsement of Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, ahead of the U.S. election on November 5.
According to sources reported by National Public Radio (NPR), cancellations have continued to climb, with the backlash also prompting resignations from several columnists.
This wave of cancellations represents approximately eight percent of The Post’s paid circulation, which totals around 2.5 million subscribers, including both print and digital editions.
The decision has divided both readers and staff, with internal discussions revealing mixed reactions to the editorial shift.
In response to the criticism, Post owner Jeff Bezos defended the decision, stating that editorial endorsements can create a perception of bias and rarely influence election outcomes.
“Ending them is a principled decision, and it’s the right one,” Bezos wrote, asserting that the move reflects a commitment to impartial journalism rather than political motivation.
Bezos added that the decision was made independently and without influence from either political campaign.
“No quid pro quo of any kind is at work here,” he clarified, emphasising that neither the Harris nor her opponent’s campaign was consulted.
“It was made entirely internally,” he affirmed, but acknowledged that the timing could have been better.
“I wish we’d made this call further from the election to avoid heightening emotional reactions,” he noted.
The decision has led to notable departures within The Post. Will Lewis, The Post publisher, explained that the shift was a return to a historical precedent, reflecting the paper’s belief in readers’ ability to form their own opinions. However, the move has been met with criticism, including from former editor Martin Baron, who condemned the decision as “cowardice” in a sharp rebuke, calling it “disturbing spinelessness at an institution famed for courage.”
In addition to The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times recently announced it would not endorse a candidate in the upcoming election, a decision that has reportedly also cost it thousands of subscribers.
With the U.S. election days away, the impact of these editorial shifts remains to be seen, but both publications are navigating a delicate balance between maintaining journalistic integrity and managing audience expectations.
Chioma Kalu
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