Changes at The Washington Post

Recently, two employees from The Washington Post shared their plans to leave for another outlet, even posing for a farewell picture. NOTUS, a digital news organization launched in 2023 by the Allbritton Institute for Journalism, revealed in a memo that nine journalists have joined their team, with seven coming from the Post.

Dana Milbank, a longtime columnist at the Post, expressed her gratitude for NOTUS publisher Robert Allbritton, while hinting at her dissatisfaction with the Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos. “It’s refreshing to align with media owners who prioritize journalism and community accountability,” she mentioned in a statement.

Similarly, Jeff Stein, the Post’s chief economics reporter, expressed his enthusiasm about joining NOTUS in June but did not hold back in criticizing his current employer. “While I’ve appreciated my time here, I can no longer trust the paper’s leadership,” he stated plainly.

Other journalists making the move include reporters Paul Kane, Paige Cunningham, and Sam Fortier, as well as columnist Andrew Van Dam and editor Missy Kambonsa. NOTUS noted that these additions would bolster their editorial team, hinting at a rebranding with a new name in the near future.

A spokesperson from The Washington Post expressed appreciation for the departing staff, wishing them well in their future endeavors. It’s notable that the Post has undergone severe staff reductions recently, having cut about half of its workforce in the past few years.

The Post has experienced significant turmoil under Bezos’s ownership, facing challenges that have culminated in major layoffs. Just last month, a third of the staff was cut, and subscription cancellations reportedly soared. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray acknowledged that morale is a concern but remains hopeful for the paper’s recovery.

Despite the changes, the Post continues to navigate a complex landscape of journalism, marked by both ownership controversies and the ongoing struggle to maintain quality reporting.