John,
Jeff Bezos’ Washington Post just caved to the far-right by firing columnist Karen Attiah, a Black journalist who rightly called out Charlie Kirk’s extremism, like his routine attacks on Black women.
Attiah revealed that the Post told her that “my measured Bluesky posts were ‘unacceptable.’” She made clear what this really is: a purge of Black voices and perspectives. The Post decided it was safer to appease extremist ideas than to defend a journalist committed to the truth and refused to soften her stance to appease right-wing apologists.
This comes at a dangerous moment. Donald Trump calls the press “enemies of the people.” Right-wing activists threaten and harass reporters. And instead of resisting, Jeff Bezos’ paper sent a chilling message: if you challenge extremists, you can lose your job.
The Post’s own staff guild is pushing back, writing that Karen Attiah’s firing “flagrantly disregarded standard disciplinary processes” and undermined the paper’s mandate to champion free speech. If Bezos gets away with this, every newsroom will be pressured to silence dissent.
Tell Jeff Bezos and Washington Post Publisher William Lewis to defend press freedom by rehiring Karen Attiah now.
Charlie Kirk built his brand by smearing marginalized communities and spreading disinformation. Karen Attiah did her job, but Bezos chose Kirk over truth, profit over principle, and power over democracy.
That choice betrays the Post’s mission, its readers, and the public’s right to honest journalism. If Bezos truly believes in democracy, he must reverse course and reinstate Attiah immediately.
This is about Karen Attiah. Her voice. Her courage. Her right to do her job without fear of billionaire retribution. When Jeff Bezos and William Lewis fired her, they didn’t just erase one columnist, they struck at the very heart of what journalism is supposed to be: fearless, independent, and accountable to the people, not the powerful.
Bezos needs to know that the public is watching. We will not accept censorship, purges, or billionaire appeasement of the far-right.
Stand with Karen Attiah. Stand with press freedom. Demand that the Washington Post reinstate her today.
Together, we can defend press freedom and make sure billionaires don’t get the last word.
-DFA AF Team
