In a significant shift from tradition, Gannett, the country's biggest newspaper chain, has announced that more than 200 of its publications within the USA Today Network will abstain from endorsing any presidential candidate this election cycle. This decision allows local papers the freedom to focus on endorsements for state and local issues that directly affect their communities. According to Lark-Marie Anton, Gannett's chief communications officer, this move underscores a belief in the importance of local decision-making in shaping America's future.
The directive applies to a wide array of newspapers under the Gannett umbrella, including well-known names like USA Today, the Arizona Republic, the Tennessean, the Des Moines Register, and the Detroit Free Press. This approach marks a departure from previous years where national endorsements were more common among major publications.
CNN has revealed that Kristin Roberts, Gannett Media's chief content officer, made this editorial decision last year – well ahead of similar announcements by other leading newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. It was clarified that this was strictly an editorial choice with no influence from corporate levels at Gannett.
This change highlights a broader trend in media towards emphasizing local issues over national politics in endorsements. While USA Today made history with its first presidential endorsement in 2020 supporting Joe Biden and issued an "anti-endorsement" against Donald Trump in 2016, it appears there is now a strategic pivot towards enhancing community-focused journalism and empowering local voices.
The directive applies to a wide array of newspapers under the Gannett umbrella, including well-known names like USA Today, the Arizona Republic, the Tennessean, the Des Moines Register, and the Detroit Free Press. This approach marks a departure from previous years where national endorsements were more common among major publications.
CNN has revealed that Kristin Roberts, Gannett Media's chief content officer, made this editorial decision last year – well ahead of similar announcements by other leading newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. It was clarified that this was strictly an editorial choice with no influence from corporate levels at Gannett.
This change highlights a broader trend in media towards emphasizing local issues over national politics in endorsements. While USA Today made history with its first presidential endorsement in 2020 supporting Joe Biden and issued an "anti-endorsement" against Donald Trump in 2016, it appears there is now a strategic pivot towards enhancing community-focused journalism and empowering local voices.
