Martin Baron Criticizes Washington Post's 'Cowardice' in 2024 Endorsement Decision

Oct 25, 2024, 06:28 PM

Martin Baron, the former executive editor of The Washington Post, has criticized the newspaper's decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. Baron described the move as 'cowardice' and a 'moment of darkness' that could leave democracy as a casualty. He expressed concerns that this decision could embolden Donald Trump to further intimidate the paper's owner, Jeff Bezos, and other media outlets. The Washington Post's decision follows a similar move by the LA Times, marking a departure from traditional endorsement practices. In his memoir, 'Collision of Power,' Baron noted that then-publisher Fred Ryan did not want to make an endorsement in the 2016 Clinton v Trump race, leading editorial page editor Fred Hiatt to consider resigning.