US Elections: Why Jeff Bezos is Creating Controversy ?

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It’s a controversy that continues to grow. On Friday, the Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos since 2013 and one of the most prestigious American media outlets, decided not to support any candidate in the American presidential election on November 5. This choice of neutrality was very badly received by its readers, often Democrats, who accuse it of lacking courage while the fate of the United States is being played out in a few days.

A choice that costs the Washington Post dearly

The decision was not made by the newspaper’s journalists or executives, but by Jeff Bezos himself. Enough to strengthen the criticism and lead to the departure of 200,000 subscribers who called for a boycott, or 8% of the 2.5 million customers. High-profile figures such as Stephen King and Mark Hamill, for example, announced that they had canceled their contracts.

The founder of Amazon finally took up his pen on Monday and issued an editorial to defend himself. He acknowledges up front the storm his decision has created:

I wish we had made this change earlier than we did, at a time further removed from the election and the emotions surrounding it. It was inadequate planning, not an intentional strategy.

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While some accuse him of wanting to protect the interests of his company Blue Origin in the event of Donald Trump's accession to power, the leader defends himself:

I sighed when I heard that, because I knew it would provide ammunition to those who would want to present this as anything other than a policy decision.

He then cites the following example to justify his choice:

No undecided voter in Pennsylvania is going to say, “I'm going with the endorsement of the A newspaper.” None. What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. An impression of non-independence. Ending it is a decision of principle, and it is the right one.

Neutrality is also a choice

He concludes, reaffirming his commitment: “Criticism will be an integral part of any new thing, of course. That's the way of the world. None of this will be easy, but it will be worth it. I'm very grateful to be a part of this adventure.”.

Jeff Bezos' point of view is understandable, but also refutable. Some may indeed respond that in certain historical periods, an absence of decision and a neutrality displayed on the part of a media known for its democratic commitment is in reality the worst choice.

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