Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 8: Washington Post Chief Executive Officer Will Lewis has resigned from his position, just days after the newspaper laid off several hundred staffers, a move that sparked widespread backlash against owner Jeff Bezos.

In a statement, the company said Jeff D’Onofrio, former Tumblr Inc. CEO who joined the Washington Post last year as chief financial officer, has taken over as acting publisher and CEO with immediate effect.

Reacting to the development, Bezos said the Post continues to have a vital journalistic mission and immense potential. “The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity,” he said, adding that he sees the publication moving toward “an exciting and thriving next chapter.”

The resignation comes amid mounting criticism following the newspaper’s decision to lay off nearly a third of its workforce on Wednesday. Those affected included several foreign correspondents and US-based journalists. The move drew sharp reactions from critics, including US Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The Washington Post Guild union said hundreds of its members were dismissed “without rhyme or reason.”

Bezos, the co-founder of Amazon, acquired the Washington Post in 2013 and initially expanded its operations through significant investment. However, in recent years, the paper has faced financial pressure, similar to other major print publications, as advertising revenue declined and subscriptions fell.

In 2023, the Post eliminated around 240 jobs, largely through buyouts. That same year, Bezos appointed Lewis, the former publisher of the Wall Street Journal, as publisher and CEO.

Further controversy erupted in 2024 when Bezos decided to end the paper’s long-standing tradition of publishing presidential endorsements. The move led to resignations by several editors and writers and prompted many subscribers to cancel their subscriptions.

Washington Post sports columnist Barry Svrluga shared what he described as Lewis’ farewell message to staff, in which Lewis referred to “difficult decisions” taken under his leadership to ensure the newspaper’s long-term sustainability.

“All — after two years of transformation at the Washington Post, now is the right time for me to step aside,” the message said.

Lewis’ exit marks another turbulent chapter for the storied newspaper as it navigates financial challenges, editorial changes and internal unrest.