I’M LAMENTING A LOT ABOUT JEFF BEZOS’ WASHINGTON POST
Photo by Luis Cortés on Unsplash
First it was the decision not to endorse a presidential candidate, then came rejection of a great editorial cartoon, then the departures of favorite writers and columnists . . .
Those episodes were followed by the anouncement of Bezos-owned Washington Post’s new slogan, “Riveting Storytelling for all of America.” Reportedly it’s just a new ‘mission statement’ and not meant to replace the old mantra.
Which is, of course, “Democracy dies in darkness.”
I am struggling with all this. To be truthful, I thought that “Democracy dies in darkness” had been the Post mantra forever; only now am I learning it dates back just to the darkness of the pandemic. So it is hardly as archivally significant as the New York Times’ famous slogan,“All the News That’s Fit to Print,” which has been around for more than a century.
Riveting storytelling is great. Newspapers, though, used to be run (and written) by those who, above all else, sought the light of truth. Most of the writers and reporters I know, including some who have been with the Post, the Times and other still-surviving newspapers for years, simply want to find and report the truth. Without it, how does democracy live?
I’m not canceling my online Post subscription, or the print edition of my beloved New York Times. (Yes, I’m one of that dying breed of readers of old-fashioned newspapers.) But if accountability being thrown to the wind, misinformation going unchecked, lies and crimes going unpunished and oligarchs moving into the White House isn’t darkness, I don’t know what is.
Here’s to serious, edited and fact-checked journalism wherever light — and truth — can be found; may it live long and prosper.
And may democracy somehow manage not to die.
This first appeared on my new Substack page, The Optimistic Eye, https://franjohns.substack.com/ where I post every Friday, mostly mildly political observations & occasionally reposted here.
Dear Fran – let’s hope that broadcast stations (CNN, MSNBC) and shows (60 Minutes) are not also victims of the new regime.
We’re going to hope not! But I’m a little worried about PBS ☺️. There are more than a few people now in positions of power (or in close proximity to power) who want to get rid of support for public broadcasting. Or take it over so it’s no longer free speech – unfortunately, getting rid of all independent media is high on the list of too many newly-powerful bad guys. I think the ACLU already has lawsuits ready to go when these sorts of things are launched. Here’s to the ACLU!
I’m with you Fran. Let’s get together.
Thanks! And 👍. Text or email whenever! Speaking of darkness, which MLKJr famously reminded us light will overcome, I’m doing the MLK Day march on Monday the 20th, a nice diversion from anything else going on.
Amen!!!
Oh Fran,
I am so struggling with “this”. I know I’m not alone but…
Why do Episcopal priest’s not say a thing about our crushed Liberal hearts? I thought I should check out other E. Church’s before I complain—of course having never been afraid whatever religion I was involved in—I am so disappointed in our E. Voices right now, perhaps I’m missing voices I need to “hear”, not clear at all right now.
I hear you, but I want you not to despair. Plenty of people – clergy and ordinary others – of EVERY religion (and Moree than a few Nones) are picking themselves up and going to work to preserve a country where everyone has rights & protections – – in other words, that “Of the people, by the people & for the people” business that’s being tossed out in favor of “Of, by and for the rich few.” As I just wrote to my Yeah, Another Blogger friend below: Keep the faith. It’s going to be a lonnnng four years.
We know democracy is in trouble when the American citizenry elects a riot-inciter and convicted felon.
Indeed. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith, but I think we HAVE to keep the faith somehow that democracy will survive. And do what we can to help that happen. I climbed out of my pit of despair because it was boring in there; am back to activism. But it’s going to be a lonnnng four years.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
More books, please
Yep, am glued to the New Yorker, Nation and Guardian Weekly as well as the NYT daily. One sided? You betcha. But that side, as you note, checks the facts, interviews and covers those with opposing views and represents humanistic, environmentally educated and generally enlightened perspectives. Intellectual elite? Never ever been elite but aspire to some level of intellectualism, as in, thoughtful, concerned and curious. Read on, my friend, and let’s share foot notes.
It does seem that to be “informed” somehow became “elite.” I’m not sure what we survivalists can do other than try to STAY informed, indigestible as the information is. And hope for truth to break through from time to time. We panglossians will persevere.
On journalism seeking, spotlighting, and reporting truth, amen Fran. Ken Kesey is supposed to have said: “To hell with facts! We need stories!” But he was a novelist, not a journalist. (Plenty of truth in novels, but that’s another story.) Keep writing Fran. And great photo, seeking refuge. RL
Ah so, truth is in fiction indeed. But can we please have a little truth in facts while we’re at it? I’m not sure what Jeff Bezos’ priorities are for the Post — riveting stories with germs of truth, or (hopefully) true stories with riveting qualities. I guess we’ll continue to see.
I’ve always liked the motto, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” because of the repetition of the “D.” Are you sure it only dates back to the start of the pandemic? I used to watch Ron Charles’s delightful video book reviews, which unfortunately, stopped when the pandemic made the close contact required by filming impossible, and haven’t resumed. If they’re on YouTube, I recommend them highly! Search under “The Totally Hip Book Reviewer.” Mr. Charles was willing to make himself look pret-ty silly.
Anyway, there was one video in which he says something to the effect of, “Democracy isn’t the only thing that dies in darkness.” I’ll search for it.
I’m keeping my Post (digital only) subscription solely for the sake of reading Carolyn Hax.
I’ll go find that video, thanks! What I found (that surprised me) was that the Post only adopted the DDiD motto in 2017, but there are surely lots of similar mantras and sayings. My favorite may always be MLK’s declaration that only light can drive out darkness. And blessings on MLK for giving us a holiday Monday so we can all go marching around while we ignore the darkness going on elsewhere.
You’re SPOT ON Fran!
Thanks, over there in the bright sunlight! ❤️