WaPo turmoil deepens: Jeff Bezos appointed CEO Will Lewis vanishes from newsroom, staff cite concerns over his absence and alleged drinking habits

The Washington Post is experiencing internal chaos as employees increasingly worry about their CEO. Will Lewis, hired by Jeff Bezos, has been almost entirely absent from the newsroom, sparking concern and fueling internal tension.

Reports also highlight increasing concern regarding Lewis' drinking problem and mercurial leadership style.

Tensions are mounting as morale collapses and newsroom departures accelerate, with employees pointing to a lack of transparency and erratic decision-making.

Where has CEO Will Lewis been?

Will Lewis, the former Rupert Murdoch acolyte whom Bezos appointed in late 2023, has been in what the magazine called a "state of hiding" since last June, according to several Post employees who spoke to The New Yorker.

A former senior editor told The New Yorker, "One thing that has damaged him internally is that his drinking is widely known in the newsroom." "His employees actually make jokes about it."

Will Lewis appointed Executive Editor Matt Murray to the position earlier this year, and his absence has strained his relationship with him, as per a report by the Daily Beast.

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What’s causing staff to lose trust in leadership?

According to The New Yorker, Lewis was upset about how the Post reported on his own scandal-plagued time there. Since then, the Post has largely stopped reporting on itself.

The former senior editor told The New Yorker that Will Lewis was upset with Matt Murray for the Post's coverage and wouldn't talk to Matt for a period of time.

Lewis' absence is a recurring theme in The New Yorker's in-depth analysis of the Post's turmoil, which detailed how Bezos came in to save the publication in 2013 but has since left employees feeling devastated and discouraged.

In response to a request for comment, The Post said that Lewis has "tremendous respect and appreciation for his colleagues" and denied to The New Yorker that he and Murray had a falling out.

The controversial decisions have alienated staff members, and Bezos has not visited the paper since before the election. Dozens of Post reporters have fled to CNN, The Atlantic, and The New York Times since October, as per a report by the Daily Beast.

Last week, the Post's D.C. newsroom, under Murray's leadership, celebrated its numerous Pulitzer Prize victories. The New Yorker reported that Lewis failed to appear, which Murray explained away as a well-planned trip.

Lewis did not attend the paper's annual Eugene Meyer Awards late last year, suggesting that Bezos's detached approach has also extended to his CEO.

Rather, he praised the paper's recent achievements despite its layoffs while hosting a private dinner for award recipients in January.

As per The New Yorker, Lewis has since made fun of his employees in meetings and asserted that they "needed to be disciplined."

FAQs

Why are Washington Post employees unhappy with CEO Will Lewis?
Many people point to his extended absence, poor communication, and rumours about his drinking.

Has Jeff Bezos addressed any internal issues at the Post?
No, Jeff Bezos hasn't visited the newsroom in months and has been largely silent.