In brief
Will Lewis, publisher of the Washington Post, is stepping down following significant staff layoffs that will see the newspaper reduce its workforce by a third. This decision was made alongside an acknowledgment of deeper-than-expected cuts affecting key sections of the paper, including its sports coverage. Jeff D’Onofrio has been appointed acting publisher and CEO as the organization aims for a sustainable future amidst ongoing struggles and subscriber loss.
Will Lewis, the publisher of the Washington Post, announced his resignation on Saturday, just three days after the paper revealed plans to lay off approximately one-third of its employees. In a communication to the staff, Lewis stated, 'difficult decisions have been taken in order to ensure the sustainable future of The Post.' This announcement comes amid a tumultuous period for the publication, which has faced criticism over significant staff reductions and changes in editorial direction under billionaire owner Jeff Bezos. The layoffs, which were deeper than anticipated, have notably resulted in the discontinuation of the Post’s renowned sports section, alongside severe reductions in both foreign and local news coverage. The paper's chief financial officer, Jeff D’Onofrio, who has been with the Post since June 2023, has been appointed as acting publisher and CEO. Lewis, a British national who previously held an executive position at The Wall Street Journal, began his tenure at the Post in January 2024. His time as publisher has been marked by challenges, including the controversial decision to retract a planned endorsement of Kamala Harris during the presidential campaign and an overall shift towards a more conservative editorial stance. As the Washington Post seeks to navigate this challenging landscape, the implications of these changes on its operations and reputation remain to be seen.
