The Washington Post is navigating a period of significant upheaval, marked by sweeping layoffs and now, the abrupt departure of its CEO, Will Lewis. Lewis announced his resignation on , less than two years after assuming the role and just days after the publication cut roughly one-third of its staff – approximately 300 employees – in a bid to stem financial losses.
The cuts, announced on , were particularly severe, eliminating the entire sports department and the books section, while significantly reducing coverage in the Metro and International divisions. The decision to shutter the Cairo bureau and eliminate all correspondent and editor positions in the Middle East underscored the depth of the restructuring. The move sparked immediate backlash, with some laid-off journalists reporting they were terminated while actively reporting from conflict zones.
Lewis’s exit comes as a surprise, though not entirely unexpected given the turmoil surrounding the layoffs and criticism of his leadership. In an email to staff, Lewis framed his departure as a natural conclusion to a “two years of transformation,” expressing gratitude to owner Jeff Bezos and asserting that the publication is now positioned for a “sustainable future.” He stated that “difficult decisions have been taken in order to ensure the sustainable future of The Post so it can for many years ahead publish high-quality non partisan news to millions of customers each day.”
The timing of Lewis’s departure, and his absence from the all-staff meeting where the layoffs were announced, drew considerable scrutiny. Several terminated employees publicly criticized his lack of engagement during a deeply unsettling time for the newsroom. Further fueling the criticism, a photo surfaced showing Lewis attending Super Bowl festivities in San Francisco shortly after the cuts were made, a move widely perceived as tone-deaf.
Jeff D’Onofrio, who joined the Post as chief financial officer in , will serve as acting publisher and CEO. In a memo to staff, D’Onofrio acknowledged the challenging environment facing the media industry and expressed confidence in the Post’s ability to navigate the headwinds. He emphasized the importance of the publication’s journalism as a guiding force for the future.
Bezos, who acquired The Washington Post in , released a statement praising the publication and its new leadership team, but notably did not address Lewis’s tenure or the circumstances surrounding his departure. Bezos stated that “The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity” and that data would guide future success.
The situation at The Washington Post reflects broader challenges facing the news industry, as traditional revenue models are disrupted by the shift to digital platforms. The Post, like many other publications, has struggled to find a sustainable path forward in a rapidly evolving media landscape. The scale of the recent layoffs, however, is particularly striking and raises questions about the long-term viability of the publication’s comprehensive coverage.
Lewis’s background is rooted in the media empire of Rupert Murdoch. Prior to joining The Washington Post, he spent six years as CEO and publisher of The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes roles at the Financial Times, the Sunday Times, and as editor-in-chief of The Telegraph. He was also involved in managing the fallout from the phone hacking scandal that engulfed Murdoch’s UK media properties, a period he has indicated he does not intend to revisit publicly.
The Washington Post Guild, representing the majority of the publication’s employees, issued a statement celebrating Lewis’s departure and calling on Bezos to reverse the layoffs or sell the paper to an owner committed to its future. Glenn Kessler, a former Washington Post journalist, suggested that Lewis’s initiatives consistently failed to attract readers.
The future of The Washington Post remains uncertain. While Bezos has expressed confidence in the publication’s potential, the recent cuts and leadership change signal a period of significant transition. The success of D’Onofrio’s interim leadership and the ability to attract and retain talent will be critical factors in determining whether The Washington Post can navigate these challenges and maintain its position as a leading national news organization.
