Freedom of the press is a Constitutional guarantee. Our nation’s founders considered it to be a basic freedom for a democratic society. It appears this freedom is eroding. For the 2024 election at least, many of our major newspapers, including the Washington Post, USA Today, and the LA Times, have suddenly decided to opt out of their usual endorsements of political candidates.
Their expressed explanations sound reasoned, but their actions smack of cowardice. Their ownership has succumbed to the bullying of powerful monied interests who don’ t agree with their potential endorsements.
Kudos to Lee Enterprises (owner of the Arizona Daily Star), and to David McCumber, the Star’s Executive Editor, for their courage in bucking this alarming trend and publishing the Star’s political endorsements for 2024.
Appeasement of a bully only encourages his efforts.
John Barringer
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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