Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein have spoken out following The Washington Submit‘s determination to cease endorsing presidential candidates.
The legendary journalists shared a joint assertion on X (previously Twitter) on Saturday, addressing the choice to revert to an outdated coverage the publication had through which it remained neutral.
“We respect the normal independence of the editorial web page, however this determination 11 days out from the 2024 presidential election ignores The Washington Submit‘s personal overwhelming reportorial proof on the menace Donald Trump poses to democracy,” the assertion learn.
They continued, “Beneath Jeff Bezos’ possession, The Washington Post’s information operation has used its plentiful assets to scrupulously examine the hazard and injury a second Trump presidency might trigger to the way forward for American democracy and that makes this determination much more stunning and disappointing, particularly this late within the electrical course of.”
On Friday, the publication introduced it could not endorse Kamala Harris or Donald Trump on this 12 months’s presidential election, a choice that it has not made since 1988. As a substitute, The Washington Submit will let readers determine which candidate it helps and preserve this coverage transferring ahead.
A memo was launched to workers through which CEO Will Lewis wrote: “The Washington Submit is not going to be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate on this election. Nor in any future presidential election. We’re returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.”
In an try and preempt criticism concerning the determination, Lewis defined that it had nothing to do with the candidates.
“We acknowledge that this might be learn in a spread of the way, together with as a tacit endorsement of 1 candidate, or as a condemnation of one other, or as an abdication of duty. That’s inevitable,” the memo continued. “We don’t see it that manner. We see it as in line with the values The Submit has all the time stood for and what we hope for in a pacesetter: character and braveness in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of legislation, and respect for human freedom in all its points. We additionally see it as a press release in assist of our readers’ skill to make up their very own minds on this, probably the most consequential of American choices — whom to vote for as the subsequent president.”