The Washington Post Faces Turmoil Under CEO Will Lewis

Since Will Lewis took over as CEO and publisher of The Washington Post, the renowned newspaper has been plagued by a series of challenges. From botched executive editor appointments to scandals from Lewis’ past in the U.K., the paper has struggled to find financial stability amid subscriber cancellations and internal frustration.

Internal Backlash and Petition to Owner Jeff Bezos

More than 400 Post journalists signed a petition expressing deep concerns over recent leadership decisions that have jeopardized the institution’s integrity and transparency. The petition, while not directly naming Lewis, is a pointed critique of his leadership style.

Loss of Subscribers and Departures

After Lewis blocked an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, over 300,000 subscribers left the paper, undoing previous gains. The departure of key journalists like Rosalind Helderman and Josh Dawsey further weakened the newsroom.

Controversies and Departures

Executive editor Matt Murray and editorial page editor David Shipley found themselves entangled in challenging situations. Shipley’s decision to reject a sketch from cartoonist Ann Telnaes led to her resignation, highlighting growing tensions within the paper.

Focus on Financial Stability and Innovation

Despite ongoing conflicts, The Washington Post has invested in AI tools for journalism and made strategic hires. Chief Strategy Officer Suzi Watford is working on refining the paper’s mission for the digital age based on principles set out by the paper’s owner in 1935.