Media ownership carries significant responsibilities, and editorial or journalistic decisions shouldn't change drastically based on the owner. However, that's exactly what is happening with billionaires Jeff Bezos and Patrick Soon-Shiong. Recently, these billionaires have made decisions that effectively silence the editorial boards of The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, preventing these publications from fulfilling an essential role in democracy: to inform, to challenge, and to lead public discourse.
Sign the petition to urge Jeff Bezos and Patrick Soon-Shiong to restore the tradition of editorial endorsements!
Editorial endorsements are a cornerstone of journalistic expression, offering insights and guidance to the electorate. By discontinuing presidential endorsements, Bezos and Soon-Shiong are not only muting their newspapers' voices but are also sidelining the expertise of their editorial teams--teams that historically help navigate complex political landscapes.
This move starkly contrasts the principle of journalistic freedom, suggesting a troubling shift towards media manipulation where economic and personal interests might overshadow objective reporting and analysis.
The immediate context of these billionaires' dangerous decisions cannot be ignored: Donald Trump is running for his second term as president, and has promised even more destruction of democracy and human rights if he wins. These spineless billionaires would rather pander to a potential dictator than protect our liberties, and that should terrify and infuriate us.Media owners must not undermine the critical role of journalists in safeguarding democracy and nurturing informed communities.
Sign the petition to tell Bezos and Soon-Shiong that manipulating editorial content for personal or political safety is unacceptable!
