More than 400 journalists from The Washington Post have signed an open letter to Jeff Bezos, calling on the billionaire owner to address growing concerns about the paper’s editorial direction and its future viability. The letter underlines the need for Bezos to intervene to restore trust, improve communication, and reestablish the Post’s competitive edge amid ongoing struggles.
Decline in Subscribers and Financial Losses
Since Jeff Bezos took over the Washington Post in 2013, he has been largely a non-interfering owner when it comes to the editorial content of the paper, with his attention to the business side of the operations. The letter from the journalists points out that the newspaper has faced several recent challenges, such as the loss of subscribers and revenue.
One of the controversies the Post faces is that of discontinuing the endorsement of candidates vying for the U.S. presidency. Even though the letter claims this decision was within Bezos’ power, it led to a significant loss of 250,000 subscribers. Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate the newspaper lost around 10% of its subscribers and $100 million in revenue in 2024 due to this move.
The journalists express alarm over the loss of trust, citing the paper’s longstanding tradition of transparency and integrity, which they feel has been compromised under current leadership. “We are deeply alarmed by recent leadership decisions that have led readers to question the integrity of this institution,” the letter states. “This is about retaining our competitive edge, restoring trust, and reestablishing a relationship with leadership based on open communication.”
Financial Crisis and Leadership Issues
The Washington Post has also experienced a decline in digital visitors, from 114 million in November 2020 to only 54 million in November 2024. The paper laid off about 100 employees, or 4% of its staff, in response to these financial problems, further heightening journalists’ anxiety.
The staff has been mounting complaints since Will Lewis took over as the chief executive in November 2023. Though the letter doesn’t specifically mention Lewis’s name, it reiterates disappointment over his management style, mainly due to the attempts made to align the paper’s editorial bias to the center from the traditional left position. Also, staff members have accused Lewis of restricting internal reporting since Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes quit the company.
High-Profile Journeys Abroad and a Sense of Rancor in Editorials
Multiple high-profile journalists, including Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey, and Michael Scherer have either resigned from or announced intention to leave The Washington Post during the past week. These three journalists have traveled to other flagship publications like the Atlantic and Wall Street Journal, leading to a significant sense of tension within the editors.
The letter concludes by referencing Jeff Bezos’ statement when he first became owner of the Washington Post in 2013, stating that “the values of The Post do not need changing.” The journalists appeal to Bezos to stand by these values and reaffirm his commitment to the newspaper’s editorial integrity.
Past Involvement of Jeff Bezos
In 2023, Bezos visited the Washington Post’s offices after widespread discontent over the paper’s former publisher, Fred Ryan, who resigned later that year. The visit by Bezos sparked hopes among the staff that he would be more active in dealing with the growing concerns in the newsroom.
These journalists are calling upon Bezos to act decisively to restore the paper’s standing as a trusted, influential source of news at a time when the paper is facing increasing financial and editorial challenges.
