Cowardice in Media Has a Gender, and It Is Male
In a political landscape riddled with uncertainty, one constant has emerged: the cowardice of male-owned media companies when faced with the prospect of a resurgent Donald Trump. This is especially evident in their sudden reluctance to support Vice President Kamala Harris, a leader whose groundbreaking achievements and dedication to public service deserve unwavering support, not half-hearted gestures masked as pragmatism.
What has prompted this about-face? It’s the familiar refrain of fear. The fear of a Trump resurgence looms large, overshadowing reason, data, and a profound moral obligation to champion the very people who have broken barriers to ascend to positions of power. It seems that for many media organizations, the priority has shifted from providing truthful analysis to cowering under the weight of speculative narratives and potential backlash.
In this moment of uncertainty, media companies must understand that their silence is complicit in the greenlighting of a campaign led by a man who is not just a former president but a felon—a bigoted, 34-times convicted, twice-impeached, and four-times indicted individual who has been found liable for fraud. Their unwillingness to endorse Kamala Harris sends a disturbing message: that this man’s record of corruption and bigotry is somehow acceptable, while a Black woman of Southeast Asian descent, an HBCU alum whose husband is Jewish, is deemed too risky.
This juxtaposition is not only unconscionable; it’s a glaring indictment of the media’s priorities. By withholding their support for Harris, they perpetuate a narrative that valorizes a man with a litany of legal troubles over a competent, qualified woman who represents the diversity and strength of our nation.
The cowardice of companies like The Washington Post, owned by men like Jeff Bezos, reveals a broader pattern in which the narratives surrounding strong women are often dictated by the fear of backlash and a desire to maintain the status quo. Polls indicate a resilient Democratic base, and Harris remains a symbol of progress and resilience—a stark contrast to the regression that Trump represents. So why, in this moment of clarity, do these companies choose to waver? It’s simple: they fear the wrath of an electorate that has historically been unkind to women, especially women of color.
This is not just a failure of the media; it’s a reflection of a larger societal issue. We live in a world where the narratives surrounding strong women often pivot on the tenuous threads of public approval and the fear of offending a fragile political based defined by toxic representations of masculinity.
Kamala Harris’s competence and commitment to her role should be at the forefront of media discussions, yet too often, they’re relegated to the background, overshadowed by the anxieties of those unwilling to take a stand.
The irony is palpable. In their quest for clicks and ratings, and fear of the hell a Trump presidency wpul inleash upon them, media companies have neglected to uphold the very principles they claim to champion. Fairness, integrity, and the pursuit of truth are the values we have come to expect in journalism. But by refusing to support Harris this cycle — when they always supported the Demcrat over Trymp in prior elections, they send a clear message that the fear of backlash outweighs the need for accountability. They also tell Black women that our voices are unimportant when in the past they supported the Black man and the white woman but hedged on the Black woman over the openly racist white man. It’s a betrayal not just of a politician but of the very fabric of democracy itself, where the voices of those who dare to challenge the status quo should be amplified, not muted.
As we move forward, it’s imperative that we challenge this lack of audacity. If media companies are unwilling to stand up for freedom, then we must hold them accountable. They must be reminded that their silence enables the very forces of hate and division that threaten our democracy.
The fight for equality and representation is ongoing, and it’s up to us to ensure that our media reflects the values of courage and conviction, not capitulation. Media should be able to boldly embrace a future where women and people of color lead without apology or fear. And when they fail in these pursuits, we the people must demand that they do. Our media should be unafraid to rise to the occasion, disavow autocracy and unabashedly support leaders who reflect the progress we aspire to achieve, rather than shrinking back to a time where only a few (white and male) could thrive.
