The Washington Post has reversed course on its decision to appoint British journalist Robert Winnett as its new editor. Winnett, who was set to take over from Sally Buzbee, the first woman to lead the Post’s newsroom, has withdrawn his candidacy after controversy arose over his journalistic practices. The move comes after questions were raised about Winnett’s past work at the Daily Telegraph, where he served as deputy editor. The New York Times reported that both Winnett and Post publisher Will Lewis were involved in stories based on allegedly fraudulently obtained phone and business records. This sparked a newsroom revolt at the Post, with several journalists expressing their disapproval of the appointment. The situation became untenable, with Pulitzer Prize winner David Maraniss, a veteran Post journalist, stating that he knew no one in the newsroom who supported the appointment. Lewis acknowledged the situation in a memo, stating that Winnett’s withdrawal was a regrettable outcome. The Post’s decision to appoint Winnett was part of a broader effort to navigate financial challenges and adapt to the evolving media landscape. The newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has faced significant financial difficulties, losing $77 million over the past year. In response to these challenges, the Post had announced plans to create a “third newsroom” focused on generating revenue, with Winnett slated to lead the core newsroom operations. These changes followed a series of cost-cutting measures, including voluntary buyouts that reduced employee headcount by 10%. The Post’s decision to appoint Winnett was also part of a larger effort to revitalize its journalism and attract new subscribers. The newspaper announced plans to introduce new subscription tiers, Post Pro and Post Plus, to generate revenue and compete in a crowded digital media landscape. The controversy surrounding Winnett’s appointment highlights the challenges facing traditional news organizations in a rapidly changing media environment. The Post’s financial struggles and attempts to adapt to the digital age have created a climate of uncertainty and instability within the newsroom. This situation, coupled with the concerns raised about journalistic ethics, has forced the Post to reassess its leadership decisions. The search for a new editor is ongoing, with Matt Murray, former editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, serving as interim leader.
