Democracy Dies in Darkness

David W. Marshall

As owner of the Washington Post, one has to wonder if Jeff Bezos reads his own newspaper with any sense of appreciation or concern.

For the first time in over 30 years the Washington Post announced its editorial board will not endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.  The Post has regularly endorsed presidential candidates since 1976 starting with Democrat Jimmy Carter.

As a nation we have a free press. As responsible journalists, newspapers have a professional obligation to state the facts and the truth to the public, but newspapers are also allowed to express their opinions. In addition, the owner of any newspaper has the right to weigh in on decisions made by its editorial board.

But this election cycle is different. This presidential election is unlike any from previous years. The surprising non-endorsement ignores the paper’s own factual reporting which, for years, outlined in specific details Donald Trump’s threat to the future of American democracy.

Politically, the Washington Post is a center left newspaper which is highly respected for its accuracy and direct presentation of events in this toxic environment of “fake news”. It has always fulfilled its role in sustaining democracy by being a reliable and consistent source of information.

The non-endorsement comes off as unfinished business. Similar to a court case, the newspaper endorsement would have served as the final argument presented to the jury of voters. By failing to provide a much needed summation, the silence resulting from a non-endorsement has become itself an endorsement.

The non-endorsement was a one man decision, according to a statement from the Washington Post Guild. It states, “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.” Columnist Karen Attiah wrote that “today has been an absolute stab in the back.”

Attiah is not alone in feeling betrayed. Readers of the paper also feel betrayed. The Post is already seeing subscription cancellations from loyal readers. Current and former staff members feel betrayed. Robert Kagan –a former advisor to Republican John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, who last year warned that a ”Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable” resigned from his position as the Post’s editor at large in response to the paper’s decision.

Apparently, Jeff Bezos didn’t heed the warning. Michele Norris followed Kagan by also resigning as opinion columnist, a position she held since 2019.

After multi-billionaire dollar Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post in 2013, the Post’s news operation used its abundant resources to thoroughly investigate the danger of a second Trump presidency. “Democracy Dies in Darkness” became the newspaper’s official slogan in 2017.

It illustrates how good journalism is essential to democracy. When journalism is at its best, it helps citizens to hold those in power accountable, uncovers corruption and ensures transparency. If the press is silenced, democracy will suffer. Darkness represents ignorance, lack of knowledge and oppression. The phrase “Democracy Dies in Darkness” is a warning to us all. If people are kept in the dark, their ignorance could lead to oppression.

The press is the light that illuminates the darkness. It ensures that people are aware of what is going on around them and empowered to make necessary changes. The phrase acknowledges the fact that the free press is under threat from those in power who prefer to operate in the dark.

The Washington Post is making a powerful and defiant statement that they will not be intimidated or silenced while continuing to keep those with power accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, Jeff Bezos didn’t hold up to the test when submitting to the political and economic pressures. He may have turned a defiant statement of truth into harsh reality which is about to come true.

Amazon holds contracts with the government worth billions. Amazon and the space exploration company Blue Origin are among Bezos-owned businesses that still compete for lucrative federal government contracts. Executives from Bezos’ aerospace company met with Donald Trump on the same day the newspaper prevented its editorial team from publishing an endorsement for Kamala Harris.

A retired Washington Post metro reporter, Robert McCartney, wrote on social media that there is “speculation in the newsroom that owner Jeff Bezos may want to avoid risk of endangering Amazon’s government contracts if Trump wins.”

Regardless, of who wins or loses the election, the Washington Post, as a strong pillar in the free press, took a major credibility hit. The Washington Post reporters and editors who remain the light that illuminates the darkness may not be able to overcome its owner who places the business interest of Amazon and Blue Origin ahead of American democracy.

David W. Marshall, a columnist for the Trice Edney News Wire, is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America.