It seems all is not well at The Washington Post. In a rare move, over 400 employees recently signed a letter addressed to their billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos, expressing deep concern about the newspaper’s current trajectory. This letter wasn’t just a routine complaint—it was a passionate plea for Bezos to step in and help steer the ship.
What’s Going On?
The staff, which includes some of the Post’s most respected journalists, are troubled by recent leadership decisions. They believe these changes are damaging the newspaper’s integrity, breaking with traditions of transparency, and driving away top talent. Alarmingly, more departures are expected.
While the letter doesn’t call out Post CEO and publisher William Lewis by name, the message is clear: the newsroom has lost faith in its leadership.
A Year of Disruption
Since Lewis joined the Post a little over a year ago, the changes he’s made have been described as disruptive, and he’s faced scrutiny for his past ties to Rupert Murdoch’s British newspapers. Staff accuse him of being hostile toward the newsroom and question his commitment to journalistic values.
Bezos brought Lewis on board to turn around the publication’s financial struggles. While Bezos has mostly stayed out of the Post’s day-to-day operations, his hands-off approach is now being viewed as part of the problem.
The Letter That Leaked
Although intended as a private appeal, the staff’s letter quickly made its way into the public eye, first landing with NPR’s David Folkenflik. Among the signees are high-profile names like Dan Balz, the Post’s chief correspondent.
In their letter, the journalists didn’t just air grievances—they proposed solutions. They called for a return to open communication, a clear and inspiring vision, and a strategy to rebuild trust and regain the Post’s competitive edge.
The Harris Controversy
One particular point of tension involved Bezos’s decision to block the Post’s editorial board from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. This move led to a wave of subscription cancellations, sparking frustration among staff and readers alike.
Bezos Speaks Out
For his part, Bezos hasn’t been silent. Last month, he acknowledged the challenges facing the Post during a talk at The New York Times DealBook Summit. “We’ve saved the Washington Post once,” he said. “This will be the second time.” While he didn’t outline specific plans, Bezos assured that he’s working on ideas to get the Post “back on good footing.”
A Crossroads for the Post
The letter is a stark reminder of the struggles even iconic institutions face. For the Post, the stakes are high—not just for its financial future, but for its standing as one of the world’s most trusted news outlets. Whether Bezos will take a more active role or stick to his behind-the-scenes approach remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the newsroom is eager for change, and time is of the essence.
What do you think? Can The Washington Post regain its footing under Bezos’s leadership, or does it need a fresh approach?
