New Search for Editor at The Washington Post as Robert Winnett Declines Position
The Washington Post recently announced that Robert Winnett, the man initially tapped to become the top editor of the newspaper, has withdrawn from the position. In a note to staffers, William Lewis, CEO and publisher of the Post, expressed his regret, stating, “It is with regret that I share with you that Robert Winnett has withdrawn from the position of Editor at The Washington Post.” Winnett, who currently serves as the deputy editor at The Daily Telegraph in the UK, has decided to remain at his current paper.
Following Winnett’s withdrawal, the Washington Post will immediately launch a new search for an editor for their core coverage. Lewis assured the staff that a recruiting firm will be hired to ensure a thorough and timely search for this important leadership role. The previous executive editor of the Post, Sally Buzbee, had resigned rather than taking the position.
Matt Murray, the former editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, will continue serving as the Post’s executive editor until after the upcoming presidential election in November. Winnett was originally set to assume the editor position after the election. The Post touted his excellent track record in investigative reporting and his ability to deliver scoops while leading significant newsroom transformations.
The decision by Winnett to decline the position comes at a challenging time for The Washington Post. The newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has been grappling with financial losses in recent years. In May, Lewis informed employees that the company had lost $77 million over the past year. However, he expressed confidence that this situation is “repairable.”
Bezos, in an email sent to senior editors, emphasized his commitment to maintaining the Post’s quality, ethics, and standards. He acknowledged the need for change as a business but assured that the newspaper’s journalistic standards would remain unchanged.
In light of the financial challenges, Lewis plans to introduce a new division within the newsroom to address the situation. This division will focus on service and social media journalism and will operate separately from the core news operation. The goal is to provide compelling, accurate news to Americans who may feel that traditional news outlets are not meeting their needs. The new division is expected to be fully rolled out by early 2025.
While the withdrawal of Robert Winnett may come as a setback for The Washington Post, the newspaper remains committed to finding a new editor and continuing its mission of delivering high-quality journalism. With the support of Jeff Bezos and the implementation of strategic changes, the Post aims to overcome its financial challenges and maintain its position as a trusted source of news for readers.
