The Washington Post has announced the departure of its chief executive, William Lewis, mere days following the company's decision to lay off a significant portion of its workforce. In a correspondence to the staff, Lewis indicated that it was the right time for him to step down and acknowledged the 'difficult decisions' that had been taken to secure the future of the newspaper.
This week, the Post reported plans to cut one third of its workforce, leading to the cancellation of multiple coverage areas including sports and international reports. The layoffs were widely condemned by journalists and other industry experts, sparking criticism directed at the newspaper's owner, billionaire Jeff Bezos. Executive Editor Matt Murray stated that the reductions would ultimately lead to greater stability for the publication.
Following Lewis’s exit, Jeff D’Onofrio, who has been with the newspaper as chief financial officer since last year, will take on the role of acting publisher and CEO. Lewis, who previously served as the chief executive of Dow Jones and publisher of the Wall Street Journal, faced mounting backlash from both subscribers and staff members as he worked to overcome the financial struggles plaguing the Post.
The mass layoffs led to protests organized by former employees outside the Post’s headquarters, where hundreds gathered to voice their discontent. Ex-Executive Editor Marty Baron described the cuts as 'among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations.'
The recent changes within the Washington Post come at a time of considerable tumult for the publication, having experienced various staff reductions and contentious editorial choices in preceding years. The newspaper faces ongoing challenges, especially with the forthcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, marking a pivotal moment for its editorial line, which broke tradition by deciding not to endorse a presidential candidate this election cycle.
