In a surprising turn of events, Will Lewis has decided to step down from his role as publisher and chief executive of the Washington Post, just a few days after significant layoffs were announced at the publication. This abrupt resignation, which took place on a Saturday evening, comes on the heels of the Post's decision to let go nearly one-third of its workforce—an action that many are viewing as a drastic measure to cut costs and attempt to revitalize the struggling newspaper.
Lewis, a veteran in the media industry with a history tied to Rupert Murdoch's companies, had only recently taken on his role at the Post in early 2024. His absence during an all-staff meeting where the layoffs were disclosed drew considerable criticism from employees, leading some to question his leadership capabilities. In an email addressed to the staff, which was subsequently shared with the public, Lewis expressed gratitude towards Jeff Bezos for his support throughout his time at the helm but recognized that it was time for him to step aside following what he termed a period of transformation at the Post.
"After two years of significant changes at The Washington Post, now is the right moment for me to move on," Lewis stated in his message. He acknowledged the tough decisions made during his leadership aimed at ensuring the publication could continue delivering quality, unbiased news to millions of readers in the future. He concluded his email with a note of thanks, signing off simply as "Will."
In the wake of Lewis's departure, Jeff D’Onofrio, who has been with the Post since June in the role of chief financial officer, will now step up as the acting publisher and chief executive. D’Onofrio highlighted the challenges currently facing media organizations, including the Post, and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to navigate these difficult times together. He spoke optimistically about leading the paper into a sustainable future while maintaining the integrity of its journalism.
Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Post since 2013, issued a statement promoting the paper's mission and its new leadership team, although he notably refrained from commenting on Lewis's tenure. Bezos emphasized the significance of the Post's journalistic goals and mentioned that the data collected from readers would guide future success.
In an interview prior to the layoffs, executive editor Matt Murray defended Lewis against the backlash regarding his absence during critical announcements. Murray conveyed that Lewis had been deeply involved in various company matters, even if he couldn't be present at that particular meeting.
The situation surrounding Lewis has sparked further controversy, particularly when a former sports reporter shared a picture of him attending Super Bowl festivities shortly after the Post faced heavy cuts to its sports section. This raised eyebrows among staff and observers alike, especially given that many sports writers had been laid off.
Lewis's background includes a lengthy career at prominent media outlets, culminating in his previous position as CEO and publisher of the Wall Street Journal before joining the Post. His career began at the Financial Times, followed by notable roles including business editor at the Sunday Times and editor-in-chief of the Telegraph.
Notably, Lewis was involved in managing the aftermath of a notorious phone-hacking scandal that affected Murdoch’s UK media operations, something he chose not to elaborate on upon his entry into the Post.
Interestingly, some current and former journalists at the Post have welcomed Lewis’s exit, with sentiments expressed that while he possessed a certain charm, ultimately, measurable results were lacking under his leadership. Glenn Kessler, a former employee, remarked that despite his efforts, initiatives launched during Lewis's tenure did not succeed in increasing readership for the Post. This departure raises questions about the future direction of the publication and whether new leadership will ultimately succeed in revitalizing it.
