Why do newspapers still make political endorsements?

It’s political endorsement season.

Editorial boards from newspapers across the country are coming out with endorsements for political offices, from the local level all the way to the president of the United States.

But in these divisive and polarizing times, might they do more damage than good if an endorsement can potentially alienate half of a publication’s audience?

Are they still worth doing?

Last month, The New York Times’ Ben Smith wrote that the 30 papers in the McClatchy chain would only make a presidential endorsement if they actually conducted interviews with both President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. McClatchy’s national opinion editor wrote a memo saying, “If we don’t interview the candidates, we won’t make a recommendation for president. Most readers aren’t turning to us for national political commentary, and they can choose among dozens of news organizations that deploy journalists to cover the presidential campaign full-time. If we’re simply observing the race from afar, our ability to provide unique content and our own reporting is severely limited.”