Washington Post Publisher Resigns Following Major Staff Layoffs
Will Lewis, the publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, has announced his resignation after a drastic round of layoffs. His departure comes just three days after the newspaper revealed it would be cutting one-third of its workforce. In a brief email to staff, Lewis noted that after two years of transformation, it was time for him to step aside. The Post’s chief financial officer, Jeff D’Onofrio, has been appointed as the interim publisher.
Major Layoffs at The Washington Post
The layoffs were deeper than anticipated and resulted in significant changes within the newsroom. Key impacts included:
- The closure of the newspaper’s well-known sports section.
- The elimination of its photography staff.
- Reductions in personnel covering metropolitan Washington and international news.
These cuts follow a trend of talent departures and declining subscriber numbers since Jeff Bezos acquired the paper. A controversial shift in its editorial stance, particularly during the 2024 presidential campaign, also contributed to these issues. Bezos’ order to retract a planned endorsement of Kamala Harris may have exacerbated the loss of readers and staff.
Criticism of Leadership and Ethics
Martin Baron, the newspaper’s first editor under Bezos, criticized the changes as detrimental to the Post’s brand. He described the situation as “a case study in near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.” Lewis’s tenure has faced scrutiny from the beginning, marked by failed reorganization efforts and the departure of several key figures, including former top editor Sally Buzbee.
Questions surrounding Lewis’s and Robert Winnett’s past ethical conduct while in England, including purchasing information for stories, have also tainted his leadership. This controversy led Winnett to withdraw from a potential role as editor after Buzbee stepped down.
Future of The Washington Post
As the newspaper faces these challenges, calls for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to take a more active role, or even to sell the Post, have emerged. In his farewell note, Lewis expressed gratitude towards Bezos, stating that the paper could not have asked for a better owner. Lewis acknowledged the tough decisions made during his time to ensure the institution’s sustainability.
Interim publisher Jeff D’Onofrio, who joined the Post in June 2023, described the current state as one of significant change. He noted that media organizations across the board are facing difficult times and expressed confidence in the Post’s ability to navigate these challenges moving forward.
