Photo credit: www.foxnews.com
Jennifer Rubin Criticizes Washington Post After Departure
Former Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin appeared on MSNBC this past Saturday, revealing her frustrations with her former employer. In a sharp critique, she accused the Washington Post of attempting to “ingratiate” itself with former President Donald Trump, suggesting that this behavior compromises journalistic integrity.
Rubin stated, “They seem to think that their own press outlet should be muzzled, should be quieted, should not upset Donald Trump so much.” She highlighted the newspaper’s refusal to endorse Trump, a stance she noted was also taken by the Los Angeles Times. “This editorial decision shows a disconnect from what a free press is meant to do,” she added.
Having shifted away from conservative views during Trump’s presidency, Rubin resigned from the Washington Post after reports indicated that its owner, Jeff Bezos, had intervened to prevent the editorial board from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 election.
She further criticized the influence of billionaires in media, stating, “You see these billionaires giving money to the President of the United States, mingling with power. That is not how an independent free press behaves.” Rubin emphasized that the primary responsibility of such outlets is to the public rather than private interests or the personal connections of their owners.
Billionaires in Media and Press Independence
Rubin’s comments came alongside recent reflections from other journalism figures. She cited Paul Krugman, a former New York Times columnist, who discussed his exit from the paper. In an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review, Krugman explained feeling more heavily edited and instructed to write less frequently, which he interpreted as an attempt to restrain his voice.
Rubin asserted, “If journalists allow this to happen, they are enabling authoritarianism.” This notion of editorial control resonates with growing concerns about media freedom, especially in an era marked by increased corporate involvement in news outlets.
Many prominent Washington Post staff have followed Rubin’s lead, announcing their departure to explore other opportunities, including journalists like Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker, among others.
Launching a New Media Outlet
During her MSNBC interview, Rubin announced her intention to launch a new media outlet in collaboration with Norm Eisen, a CNN legal analyst. She characterized the upcoming platform as “overtly pro-democracy,” aiming to prioritize journalistic values she believes are essential for a healthy democracy.
In her farewell statement regarding her departure from the Washington Post, Rubin conveyed that the publication “has failed spectacularly” at a critical time when a robust free press is more necessary than ever. She criticized the corporate and billionaire ownership of major media for what she perceives as a betrayal of journalistic integrity.
Rubin stated, “The Washington Post’s billionaire owner and enlisted management are among the offenders,” reinforcing her belief that financial interests consistently overshadow the fundamental mission of journalism in protecting democracy.
The evolving landscape of journalism continues to face scrutiny as former staffers voice their concerns regarding editorial independence and the influence of wealth in shaping news narratives. As Rubin embarks on her new venture, the implications of her departure echo broader calls for accountability within the media industry.
Source
www.foxnews.com