The Washington Post spiked a column by its media critic about Jeff Bezos’ decision to reshape the newspaper’s Editorial pages, which led to the resignation of the section’s editor, according to a report.
Erik Wemple had chimed in on the Amazon founder’s pivot — seeking a focus on American values like “personal liberties and free markets” — but his article was never published, according to the Gene Pool newsletter.
Someone at the Washington Post who read the column described it to Gene Pool as “more mystified and saddened then outrage or appalled.”
Gene Weingarten, a satirical writer and former Washington Post columnist, wrote in his newsletter that he reached out to Wemple after noticing that the media critic did not have a published piece analyzing the move.
“I called Erik, whom I consider a friend, to ask if he was still planning to write. He said something I’d never before heard from him or any other media critic: No comment, not on or off the record,” Weingarten wrote.
Wemple also “offered no hints,” according to Weingarten.
“No winks or nudges, no nothing. He apologized, but I understood entirely,” Weingarten wrote, adding: “The atmosphere in the newsroom is miasmic, poisoned by fear and distrust.”
A Washington Post spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
The Washington Post published a story about Bezos’s announcement, which led Opinions Editor David Shipley to quit.
But, as Weingarten noted, the article did not include mention criticism from former and current staffers, including ex-Executive Editor Marty Baron.
Baron slammed the move as a “betrayal of free expression” and that he was “appalled” by the decision.
Baron called Bezos’ pivot a “betrayal of free expression.”
Critics argue that this shift undermines the newspaper’s tradition of diverse viewpoints and may reflect an attempt to align more closely with President Donald Trump, especially following Bezos’ intervention to prevent the paper from endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Supporters, however, believe this focus will provide clarity and reinforce the paper’s core values.
Bezos said his decision stems from his belief that these viewpoints are underrepresented in current media discourse and that other media outlets already offer a broad spectrum of perspectives.
The mogul wrote that he offered Shipley an opportunity to remain in his job and help usher in “this new chapter” but that Shipley instead “decided to step away.”
