Bezos Under Fire: Scrutiny Mounts Over Washington Post’s Tumultuous Decade
Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, is facing renewed criticism regarding his stewardship of The Washington Post, a prominent newspaper he acquired 12 years ago. A recent in-depth article published in The New Yorker, titled "Is Jeff Bezos selling out the Washington Post?" casts a long shadow over his ownership, raising questions about his engagement, decisions, and the overall direction of the publication.
The New Yorker piece meticulously chronicles Bezos’ $250 million purchase of The Post from the Graham family in 2013, marking a significant turning point for the newspaper. It details the subsequent leadership transitions, from Marty Baron to Sally Buzbee and now interim executive editor Matt Murray, highlighting the challenges and controversies that have plagued the newsroom under Bezos’ ownership.
One of the central criticisms revolves around Bezos’ perceived detachment from the day-to-day operations of The Post. According to a staff member quoted in The New Yorker, Bezos appeared "out of touch" during meetings with journalists in January 2023. This sentiment underscores a broader concern that Bezos has not been sufficiently "hands-on" as an owner, failing to fully grasp the evolving media landscape. The staffer argued that owning a media property in the current climate demands a deep understanding and active engagement, qualities they feel are lacking in Bezos’ leadership.
A particularly contentious issue highlighted in the article is Bezos’ alleged intervention in the newspaper’s planned endorsement of Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. This unilateral decision to quash the endorsement reportedly caused widespread dismay within The Post, leading to resignations and a significant drop in subscriptions, estimated at over 250,000 cancellations from disgruntled liberal readers. The staffer who spoke with Fox News Digital described the move as "ham-handed" and attributed the fallout directly to Bezos’ intervention. They further suggested that had Bezos implemented such a policy earlier, it would not have provoked such a strong reaction.
The Post has also experienced a notable exodus of key personnel in recent months. Prominent figures like national editor Philip Rucker, managing editor Matea Gold, and reporters Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker, and Michael Scherer have all departed for rival news organizations, including CNN, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. The recent poaching of Post reporter Aaron Blake by Rucker, now at CNN, further underscores the talent drain.
While some employees have found new opportunities at other outlets, others have reportedly left in protest against Bezos’ policies and direction. Columnists Jannifer Rubin and Eugene Robinson are among those who have departed, signaling a growing discontent within the opinion section. A particularly poignant example is the resignation of cartoonist Ann Telnaes, who left after her bosses refused to publish a cartoon critical of Bezos and other prominent figures kowtowing to then-President-elect Trump. Notably, Telnaes was later awarded a Pulitzer Prize for her "piercing commentary" and "fearlessness," a stark contrast to the constraints she reportedly faced at The Post.
Further exacerbating the situation, opinion editor David Shipley stepped down after Bezos mandated columns promoting "personal liberties and free markets" while restricting opposing viewpoints. Veteran columnist Ruth Marcus also resigned after her piece criticizing Bezos’ policy was reportedly killed. These incidents have reportedly resulted in another significant wave of subscriber cancellations, further straining the newspaper’s financial stability.
Despite the multitude of issues facing The Post, the article suggests that blame is not solely directed at Bezos. Will Lewis, Bezos’ hand-picked CEO and publisher of The Post, has also faced criticism for his leadership style and perceived lack of a clear vision for the publication. Lewis reportedly angered staff with his blunt assessment that "People are not reading your stuff," while lamenting financial losses and declining readership. A Post staffer also noted Lewis’ absence from Pulitzer Day celebrations, further fueling concerns about his engagement and commitment to the newspaper.
The New Yorker piece quotes former top editors attributing the departures to Lewis’ "lack of a discernible plan for the paper." They argued that Lewis has unfairly convinced Bezos that the newsroom is the source of the Post’s struggles, when the real issue is the absence of a coherent business strategy.
Despite the challenges, the Post staffer who spoke with Fox News Digital expressed a glimmer of optimism. They acknowledged the paper’s recent Pulitzer Prizes and its impactful coverage of the Trump administration. The staffer also credited Bezos with doubling the size of the newsroom and providing significant resources, acknowledging his role in rescuing the paper from a precarious financial situation.
"I have nothing but thanks and gratitude for Bezos and how he rescued a paper that was spiraling down and probably would’ve been a shadow now, if not gone," the Post staffer told Fox News Digital.
However, they also criticized Bezos for being an "absent owner" and allowing former Post publisher Fred Ryan to fail to capitalize on the surge in readership during Trump’s presidency. They also expressed concerns about Lewis’ performance, stating that he is "failing fast," and that Bezos seems "too distracted to notice."
The staffer concluded by emphasizing the dire state of The Post before Bezos’ acquisition, noting that "We were rock bottom. We haven’t fallen that far yet." This comment provides a crucial context, reminding readers of the significant challenges that Bezos inherited and the potential for future recovery. The future of The Washington Post remains uncertain, but the renewed scrutiny on Bezos’ ownership underscores the importance of active engagement, strategic vision, and a commitment to journalistic integrity in navigating the complex landscape of modern media.
