In a recent statement, billionaire owner of The Washington Post, Jeff Bezos, addressed the turmoil within the newspaper and expressed support for maintaining high standards amidst concerns over the ethical integrity of its new publisher, Will Lewis. Bezos emphasized that the journalistic standards and ethics at The Post will not change, while acknowledging the need for evolution in the business.
The memo from Bezos to The Post’s top personnel comes after serious questions were raised about Lewis, including reports of unethical practices related to his past assignments and attempts to suppress stories. The newsroom has been rocked by these revelations, leading to a decline in morale and growing frustration among staffers.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor at Yale School of Management, has urged Bezos to dismiss Lewis, stating that he has lost legitimacy to lead. Sonnenfeld emphasized the importance of upholding the legacy of journalistic integrity at The Post and called for the recruitment of an accomplished and trusted editor to lead the newspaper into the future.