Sally Buzbee has abruptly resigned as Executive Editor of the Washington Post, stepping down just months before the upcoming presidential election. Buzbee’s departure comes after three years at the helm of the struggling newspaper, which has been grappling with financial difficulties and a declining audience.
Fox News Digital reports that Matt Murray, former editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, will replace Buzbee temporarily. He will remain in the role until after the election, at which point Robert Winnett, the current deputy editor at the Telegraph Media Group, will take over resignation.
William Lewis, CEO and Publisher of the Washington Post, explained that the change was necessary to better serve the paper’s audience. “We are taking a definitive step away from the ‘one size fits all’ approach and moving towards meeting our audiences where they are,” Lewis told the New York Post. He praised Buzbee, saying, “Sally is an incredible leader and a supremely talented media executive who will be sorely missed.”
The announcement was made via an email from Lewis to the staff on Sunday evening. The Washington Post also disclosed its plans to create a new division within the newsroom dedicated to service and social media journalism. This initiative aims to reach millions of Americans who prefer alternative methods of consuming news.
Buzbee joined the Washington Post in 2021 after serving as executive editor at the Associated Press. Her tenure at the Washington Post has been marked by significant challenges, including a decline in readership and financial woes.
The Washington Post’s struggles are not new. After Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, purchased the newspaper in 2013 from Donald Graham, it has faced continuous industry challenges. Graham had described Bezos as a “uniquely good new owner,” but the paper has nonetheless struggled to regain its footing.
In a statement, Lewis emphasized the need for the Washington Post to adapt and innovate. “By creating three, strong, journalism functions — Core, Service/Social and Opinions — we are taking a definitive step away from the ‘one size fits all’ approach and moving towards meeting our audiences where they are,” he said.
Matt Murray, set to take over as interim executive editor, expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m deeply honored to join such a storied news institution with its long, rich history of memorable and impactful journalism and want to thank Sally for her great leadership.” He added, “I am excited by Will and Jeff’s vision for The Post’s next era of growth and reinvention and can’t wait to get started.”
A source within the Washington Post described the current situation as “chaotic and turbulent,” reflecting the internal challenges the newspaper faces as it seeks to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing media landscape.
