The Washington Post is in turmoil as new allegations emerge about its publisher and CEO, Will Lewis. Reports indicate that Lewis has made multiple efforts to stop the publication of stories about his involvement in past scandals. This controversy has raised serious concerns about his leadership and ethics.
Earlier this spring, the Post published two articles regarding allegations against Lewis that surfaced in British court proceedings. Both times, Lewis reportedly pressured then-Executive Editor Sally Buzbee to halt the stories. Despite his efforts, the articles were published, detailing Lewis’s alleged role in a scandal involving Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloids. The allegations suggest that Lewis helped cover up criminal practices at these tabloids, including hacking into voicemails and emails of celebrities and private citizens.
Lewis’s spokesperson denied these allegations, stating, “That is not true. That is not what happened.” However, the New York Times reported on Lewis’s attempts to suppress the stories, and this was later confirmed by other sources within the Washington Post.
The situation worsened when Buzbee was abruptly dismissed, just three-and-a-half weeks after the second article was published. Her departure has been linked to her refusal to yield to Lewis’s pressure. Managing Editor Matea Gold, who oversaw the stories with input from reporters across three desks, ensured that the articles were published.
Lewis’s efforts to prevent coverage of his past actions have not only damaged his reputation but also severely impacted morale at the Washington Post. According to several staff members, the atmosphere in the newsroom is the worst it has ever been. One staffer described it as “truly unprecedented.”
The controversy surrounding Lewis intensified when NPR media reporter David Folkenflik revealed that Lewis had offered him an exclusive interview about the Post’s future in exchange for dropping the story about his involvement in the hacking scandal. Although Lewis’s spokesperson confirmed this offer, NPR published the story regardless. Folkenflik’s account of Lewis’s offer added fuel to the fire, leading to further distrust within the newsroom.
Adding to the tension, Lewis appointed his former colleague from the Telegraph, Robert Winnett, to lead the Post’s primary news reporting. Winnett, known for a controversial scoop that involved paying a source for information, is expected to take over after the 2024 presidential election. This move has not been well received by the staff, who fear that Winnett’s appointment could further compromise the newspaper’s integrity.
The allegations against Lewis stem from his time at News UK, where he was tasked with addressing the hacking scandal. Legal proceedings have brought to light claims that Lewis was involved in efforts to cover up the extent of the wrongdoing by deleting emails and obstructing investigations. While Lewis denies these allegations, the ongoing cases, including those brought by Prince Harry and other high-profile figures, keep these issues in the spotlight.
Inside the Washington Post, the situation remains volatile. Staff members are deeply concerned about the ethical implications of Lewis’s actions and his potential to censor or influence coverage. As one veteran media executive put it, “Democracy dies in pressuring editors to drop stories about publishers.”
Lewis’s future at the Washington Post is uncertain. His ability to restore trust and credibility within the newsroom is in question, and many are looking to the paper’s owner, Jeff Bezos, for a response. The coming weeks will be critical for Lewis as he navigates the fallout from these allegations and attempts to rebuild his standing within one of the nation’s most prestigious news organizations.
