Key Highlights
- The Washington Post is shifting towards a more conservative editorial stance.
- The recent hires of three conservative columnists by the newspaper are notable.
- Liberals need to take action to counterbalance this trend, according to Michael Tomasky.
- The editorial shift is seen as defenestrating 50-60 years of proud liberal history at The Washington Post.
Editorial Shift: A Conservative Turn
In a recent column, Michael Tomasky, the editor of The New Republic, highlighted how The Washington Post has undergone an accelerated rightward shift in its editorial stance. This development is not confined to occasional outliers but reflects a broader trend within mainstream media.
Recent Headlines and Hiring Practices
A notable example cited by Tomasky is the recent editorial titled “In defense of the White House ballroom,” which defended the president’s decision to destroy part of a historic building. Another headline, “The unaffordability of Obamacare comes home to roost,” further underscores this shift in tone and perspective. These pieces have been accompanied by the hiring of three conservative columnists, presumably to align with Jeff Bezos’s interests in advancing personal liberties and free markets.
Historical Context and Implications
The editorial shift at The Washington Post marks a significant departure from its long-standing liberal leanings. According to Tomasky, this change effectively defenestrates 50-60 years of the newspaper’s proud history. He argues that such a conservative stance puts the paper in a disadvantageous position as it serves what is often referred to as the nation’s capital.
Tomasky further notes that the Post’s recent loss of key liberal columnists, including Eugene Robinson, E.J.
Dionne, Ruth Marcus, and Dana Milbank, while Greg Sargent and Perry Bacon have moved to other publications, highlights a broader trend in the media landscape. The presence of two editorially conservative newspapers—The Washington Post and the Unification Church’s Washington Times, along with The Washington Examiner—signals a significant shift in the political climate within the capital city.
The Broader Media Landscape
Tomasky points to other trends in media ownership and editorial direction, such as CBS News’ departure from traditional journalism, CNN’s potential follow suit, and the increasing influence of right-wing networks like Sinclair. These developments are part of a larger pattern where conservative billionaires and their allies are consolidating control over news outlets.
Tomasky suggests that rich liberals need to take collective action by pooling resources to purchase media outlets and establish new ones, in order to counterbalance this trend. He argues that while legacy media still matters, it is increasingly being taken over by right-wing and libertarian billionaires who aim to undermine the concept of a public weal.
Call for Action
In conclusion, Tomasky calls on wealthy liberals to recognize the gravity of this situation and take decisive action. He emphasizes that inaction could lead to a complete control of media by ultrarich conservatives, potentially ending democracy as we know it. The best time to address this issue was 20 years ago; now is the second-best time.
This editorial shift at The Washington Post is not just about political coverage but represents a broader challenge to the principles of balanced and impartial journalism that have long been central to American society. As Tomasky suggests, the stakes are high, and the time for action has arrived.
