Director of The Washington Post resigns after severe cuts and announcement of massive layoffs
Will Lewis, the editor of The Washington Post, has resigned following the announcement of significant layoffs affecting nearly a third of the newspaper's workforce.
Will Lewis, the editor of The Washington Post, has announced his resignation just days after the newspaper laid off nearly a third of its staff, including over 300 journalists. This drastic measure to reduce the workforce has raised serious questions about the leadership and future of the newspaper. Lewis's absence from an all-staff meeting where these layoffs were announced has also been criticized, adding to the scrutiny of his leadership in a challenging economic climate.
In his resignation email, Lewis expressed that he made the decision to ensure the sustainable future of The Post. His brief message acknowledged only Jeff Bezos, the owner of the newspaper, without mentioning the journalists whose roles were affected by the layoffs. This has led to further criticism regarding his leadership style and connection to the staff during a time of significant upheaval in the organization.
Jeff D’Onofrio, the financial director of The Washington Post, has been named the interim CEO as the organization navigates this challenging transition. The ongoing financial losses have impacted the newspaper’s operations, prompting such drastic measures. The situation reflects broader issues facing many media organizations in adapting to a changing media landscape while maintaining journalistic integrity and support for their staff.