The billionaire Jeff Bezos, the owner of “The Washington Post”, decided to interfere in the editorial line of the journal and limit publications in the opinion department, because in his opinion the media does not have to apply for “covering all views”. This story shows that there must be a Chinese wall between the owner and the editors – commented on the actions of the owner of Amazon, deputy editor -in -chief of TVN24, editor for standards and good journalistic practices of Brygida Grysiak.
Jeff Bezos decided that the comments in the opinion department in this newspaper will concern “the support and defense of two pillars: personal freedom and free market.”
“Of course, we will also deal with other topics, but views opposite to these pillars will be published by others” – he noted. As he assessed, in the era of the Internet it is not necessary for newspapers to provide readers with a “wide opinion section, trying to cover all views”. He informed about the changes in a letter to “WAPO” employees and via the X.
Read more: Jeff Bezos interferes with the editorial line “Washington Post”. Not the first time
Grysiak: You need a Chinese wall
Brygida Grysiak, deputy editor -in -chief of TVN24, editor for standards and good journalistic practices, referred to Jeff Bezos. She read a fragment of the statement issued by the former editor -in -chief of “The Washington Post”, Martin Baron, who sent the journalist, among others Tvn24. “Bezos is in favor of personal freedom, but his information organization will now prohibit expressing views other than his own. Only a few days ago 'Washington Post' described himself as providing relationships for 'all of America'
Commenting on the changes in the American diary, Grysiak reminded that “The Washington Post” years ago – during the first term Donald Trump In the White House – his motto made the sentence: “Democracy dies in the dark.”
– If only those opinions that praise “personal freedoms and free market” are desirable, what will be in these opinions with the weakest? – she asked and added that this story clearly shows that between the owner, i.e. business, and “the editors that edits its content on a daily basis – whether it is a newspaper, whether it is a portal, whether it is television – there must be a Chinese wall.”
Independence from politics is the strongest currency
As she emphasized, “only in this way we are able to stand before our viewers, readers and say that what we present to them is the result of editorial, free, independent, unrestricted journalistic discussions.” – And we, as an editorial office, take full responsibility for it – she noted.
– Because what capital do we have? What is the most powerful currency journalists and editorial offices? This is the trust of viewers and independence not only from politics – she said.
Grysiak mentioned that in 2019 she took part in the editorial college of “The Washington Post”. “Even now, as I say about it, I feel the atmosphere of such a lively, journalistic, engaged discussion on political topics,” she said. The then editor -in -chief of the daily was Martin Baron.
– They conflicted very much with the Trump administration. President Trump regularly called them “Washington Fake News Post”. And then Bezos followed them with a wall. He lost multi -million contracts with the American army precisely – as he suggested then – that he was consistent and rebellious in defense of journalistic values - reminded Brygida Grysiak.
Brygida Grysiak, deputy editor -in -chief of TVN24, editor for standards and good journalistic practicesTvn24
Baron: Bezos took a step that disgraces the freedom of expression
Martin Baron – former editor -in -chief of “The Washington Post” and “Boston Globe” and the author of the book “The collision of power: Trump, Bezos and The Washington Post” – made a statement on Wednesday, in which he referred to this decision of the owner of Amazon and “Wapo”.
“Bezos is in favor of personal freedom, but his information organization will now prohibit expressing views other than his own. Only a few days ago 'Washington Post' described himself as providing relationships for 'all of America'
In his opinion, “Bezos now took a step, which is both undemocratic and contrary to The Post's heritage.” “And disgrace the freedom of expression, which is the most basic personal freedom of American citizens,” he added.
Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai at the inauguration of TrumpPAP/EPA/KENY HOLSTON/POOL
Former chief of daily: Bezos “reveals” long -term principles of the journal
“Bezos himself caused harm to personal freedoms, cowardly succumbing to the president who does not show the respect of freedom,” the American journalist continued. According to him, the billionaire “reveals” the long -term principles of the Washington daily.
Baron pointed out that Jeff Bezos appeared at the inauguration of Trump in January and gave a speech there. In his opinion, taking a place in a row behind the back of a republican president at this event “undermined the credibility of” Gazeta.
“It was a sign of dependence, not independence – the dependencies of Amazon, Blue Origin and Bezos from Donald Trump,” said Baron.
“Despite the damage caused by The Post from the” mountain “, its editors still provide really admirable, revealing relations regarding the Trump administration. I have not seen any evidence of non -interference in the newsroom, but only a lot of hard work of news employees and strong determination to tell the public about what deserves her knowledge” – he noted.
“I would love that the owner would publicly thank his reporters and editors for this job,” he added.
The former chief also announced that “what the Bezos does today is contrary to what he proclaimed and actually practiced in his (baron – ed.) Of the term of office in The Post.”
“I have always been grateful for how he stood up for The Post and the independent press in the face of Trump's constant threats against his (Bezos – editor's note) business interests. Now I could not be more sad and disgusted” – he concluded.
Source of the main photo: Tvn24