To Endorse, or Not to Endorse
You can make the case that news organizations shouldn’t endorse political candidates (“most people don’t read those columns, and those who do aren’t persuaded by them”). Or you can make the case that endorsements are a noble civic exercise (“our editorial board’s expertise is valuable, and readers should know where we stand”).
What you probably shouldn’t do is declare that you’re stopping endorsements, then turn around and publish a muddled one without explaining why.
Which is what the New York Times did this week.
Related Knowledge Center: Democracy and politics
News organizations are scrambling to find a coverage approach that adequately informs the American public about the country’s slide from democracy to authoritarian rule.
Related Knowledge Center: The Times and its critics
The New York Times is the most important — and successful — news organization in the United States, with unmatched resources. But its political coverage has its critics, including a growing number of veteran journalists.