Will Lewis Resigns as CEO of The Washington Post Following Layoffs
Will Lewis, the CEO and publisher of The Washington Post, has announced his resignation amidst growing criticism after the newspaper’s recent announcement about extensive layoffs. This decision comes after two years in his role.
In a memo to staff, which was later shared on X by a Post reporter, Lewis mentioned, “After two years of transformation at the Washington Post, now is the right time for me to step down.” He expressed gratitude to Jeff Bezos for his support, stating that the Post could not have had a better owner during his term.
Lewis acknowledged the tough decisions made to secure a sustainable future for the paper, emphasizing a commitment to delivering high-quality, unbiased news to millions of readers daily.
Following Lewis’s departure, Jeff D’Onofrio, who became chief financial officer last June, has stepped in as the acting CEO and publisher. In a statement, D’Onofrio affirmed the Post’s dedication to its journalistic mission and expressed excitement about guiding the organization into a promising future.
Bezos, in a statement, highlighted the significance of the Post’s role in journalism while noting the important opportunities ahead. He asserted that reader data would help navigate the paper’s path forward.
The announcement of layoffs, affecting about a third of the staff, has incited considerable backlash, especially after Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray seemingly did not take a frontline stance during the announcement of the layoffs.
In defense of both Bezos and Lewis, Murray remarked in an interview that he sees the commitment from Bezos to “save the Post” as genuine, suggesting that while definitions may vary, everyone shares the goal of revitalizing the organization.
Murray emphasized Lewis’s involvement in ongoing efforts, describing the extensive work required and stating that Lewis had numerous responsibilities to address during that tumultuous time.
Lewis’s tenure began on shaky ground when he candidly informed his staff about the dire situation, noting that readership had significantly declined and emphasizing the necessity for change.
Post staff members have commented on Lewis’s limited presence within the newsroom, particularly after his frank remarks about audience engagement. The backlash against him intensified, especially after he was seen at a pre-Super Bowl gathering in San Francisco shortly after the layoffs.
