New York
CNN
—
Gannett, owner of the nation’s largest newspaper chain, announced that its more than 200 publications, including USA Today, will not publish presidential endorsements in the run-up to the November 5 election.
In a statement, Gannett said that while its USA Today Network of publications nationwide will not issue presidential endorsements this year, the outlets may still endorse candidates at the state and local levels at their own discretion.
“Why are we doing this? Because we believe America’s future is decided locally – one race at a time,” Gannett chief communications officer Lark-Marie Antón told CNN in a statement. “And with more than 200 publications across the nation, our public service is to provide readers with the facts that matter and the trusted information they need to make informed decisions.”
The decision not to endorse was made last year by Gannett Media chief content officer Kristin Roberts, a person familiar with the matter said. Roberts determined that Gannett Media, which is comprised of USA Today and the USA Today Network, would not pursue endorsements at the national level, a decision Gannett Media newsrooms were informed of but which the company decided to not share in a statement at the time, the person told CNN.
“This was an…
