In a striking op-ed published in *The Washington Post,* owner Jeff Bezos directly addressed the longstanding issue of media bias and credibility, calling for major changes in how mainstream outlets operate. In the piece, Bezos acknowledged the media’s declining public trust, citing recent Gallup polls that show journalists now rank below Congress in credibility—marking an all-time low for the industry. “Something we are doing is clearly not working,” he wrote, emphasizing the need for newspapers not only to be accurate but also to be *believed* as accurate, a distinction he feels has been neglected.
The op-ed comes just days after *The Washington Post* announced it would break from tradition and forgo a presidential endorsement in the upcoming election—the first time in decades. While endorsements have historically aligned with progressive candidates, Bezos argued that they do little to sway voters and instead fuel perceptions of media bias. Reflecting on the decision, he remarked, “I wish we had made the change earlier… That was inadequate planning, and not some intentional strategy.”
The meltdown happening in the comments section of Jeff Bezos’ statement on his refusal to endorse a candidate through The Washington Post is a triggering of epic proportions
There are currently ~6,000 unhinged comments from the far Left mob
Too good! 😂 https://t.co/bHhDCfYHQY pic.twitter.com/evpm7Wg9aV
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) October 29, 2024
Bezos’s ownership has been a source of scrutiny given his wide-reaching business interests, from Amazon to Blue Origin. He acknowledged these complexities, noting that his various ventures intersect with government work, creating an “appearance of conflict.” However, he firmly denied any involvement in *The Post’s* editorial decisions, urging critics to find any evidence of his influence over the paper’s journalistic work since he took ownership in 2013.
It may be a frivolous pleasure. I am not perfect. I will say this.
If you’d like some harmless amusement.
Go to the Jeff Bezos column in WaPo
GET TO THE COMMENTS SECTION IMMEDIATELY pic.twitter.com/2nH8gi0tpU
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) October 29, 2024
Bezos stressed that a credible press is critical to democracy, particularly at a time when misinformation on social media and podcasts is on the rise. Although his wealth may seem like an advantage, Bezos admitted it’s also a “complexifier” for *The Post,* adding layers of scrutiny to the publication’s work. “The Washington Post and the New York Times win prizes,” he wrote, “but increasingly we talk only to a certain elite. More and more, we talk to ourselves.” For Bezos, that self-isolation is one of the core issues eroding media trust, which he believes must be urgently addressed if traditional journalism is to remain relevant.
This is a terrible use of time, utterly frivolous to enjoy the meltdowns of others.
Even so, here I am, you can’t even keep up with the comments. Hundreds a minute.
SEETHING RAGE https://t.co/BfO8aPv3bH pic.twitter.com/A5RV8ooGKI
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) October 29, 2024
Bezos closed his op-ed by calling for a blend of old-school rigor and innovative approaches, reinforcing that a credible, independent press is still essential for an informed public. The challenges ahead, he admits, won’t be easy, but he argued they’re well worth the fight, especially given the global stakes.
