Journalists are protesting against the layoffs at the traditional US newspaper.Image: keystone
The editor and managing director of the Washington Post, Will Lewis, is resigning.
02/08/2026, 06:0502/08/2026, 06:05
The move came a few days after mass layoffs at the traditional newspaper became public. In a short message to employees, which was quoted by the US broadcaster CNN, among others, Lewis pointed out that difficult decisions had been made to ensure a sustainable future for the newspaper. His duties will be taken over by Jeff D’Onofrio, the company’s current CFO, with immediate effect.
Traditional paper drastically reduces its workforce
On Wednesday it became known that the almost 150-year-old traditional newspaper was introducing severe austerity measures due to economic losses. According to media reports, around a third of the workforce will be laid off, including around 300 journalists. Those affected include the sports department, the literature department and foreign reporting. This was met with a lot of outrage and criticism among the workforce and the industry in general.
The newspaper’s employee representatives asked whether Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, as owner, was still willing to invest in the task that has distinguished the paper as an independent medium for generations. According to editor-in-chief Matt Murray, Bezos wants to hold on to the newspaper as owner.
In a statement to the Washington Post about the change in editor, Bezos emphasized that the newspaper has a central journalistic task. Data shows the company where to focus, he explained.
Criticism of Bezos and Lewis
The multi-billionaire has owned the Washington Post since 2013. Recently there had been repeated criticism of his role in the newspaper, and respected journalists left the paper. The fact that Bezos decided against publishing an election recommendation he had already written for Donald Trump’s opponent Kamala Harris before the US election in November 2024 made headlines. Election recommendations like these are common in US media.
According to US media, Lewis has also been criticized by editorial staff for a long time, accusing him of a lack of attendance. What caused particular outrage was the fact that he was not present when the layoffs were announced this week.
“Post” reporters uncovered the Watergate scandal
The Washington Post has made history more than once. She experienced a great moment in the early 1970s when reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward uncovered the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon. (sda/dpa)