LA Times and Washington Post Halt Endorsements

The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times have both decided not to endorse presidential candidates in the upcoming election, leading to significant backlash. Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, reportedly intervened to stop an endorsement of Kamala Harris, leading to criticism from staff and the resignation of editorial board member Robert Kagan. Publisher Will Lewis explained this as a return to the paper's tradition of non-endorsement before 1976, emphasizing a commitment to independent journalism. Similarly, the Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked an endorsement of Harris, prompting resignations from editorial board members, including Mariel Garza, who criticized the move as political interference. Both newspapers' decisions have sparked debates about journalistic responsibility and independence during a highly polarized political climate.