Robert Winnett, the editor selected to run The Washington Post, will not take up that position after reports raised questions about his ties to unethical news gathering practices in Britain. Mr. Winnett will stay at The Daily Telegraph, where he is the deputy editor, according to emails sent on Friday to employees of the London-based newspaper and to staff at The Post.
Key Statements:
- Chris Evans, Editor of The Telegraph: “I’m pleased to report that Rob Winnett has decided to stay with us. As you all know, he’s a talented chap and their loss is our gain.”
- Will Lewis, CEO of The Washington Post: “It is with regret that I share with you that Robert Winnett has withdrawn from the position of editor at The Washington Post. Rob has my greatest respect and is an incredibly talented editor and journalist.”
Background:Mr. Winnett earned a reputation as an unassuming newshound whose relentless pursuit of scoops earned him the nickname “Rat Boy.” However, his appointment to the top editing job at The Post was jeopardized by recent reports in The New York Times and The Washington Post that detailed his connection to a private investigator who acknowledged using unethical means to obtain information.
Timeline of Events:
- June 2: Will Lewis informed Post employees that Mr. Winnett would take over as The Post’s editor after the U.S. presidential election in November.
- Recent Reports: The New York Times and The Washington Post published investigations revealing Mr. Winnett’s connection to unethical practices.
- June 21: Mr. Winnett decided to withdraw from the position, opting to remain at The Telegraph.
Reactions:
- Washington Post Journalists: Many expressed relief at Mr. Winnett’s withdrawal. One journalist texted, “Rat Boy is out!”
- David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter: Criticized the situation, stating that the current leadership could not stand.
Current Leadership:
- Matt Murray: Former editor in chief of The Wall Street Journal, will continue as The Post’s top editor until after the U.S. elections.
- Future Plans: The Post is planning to establish a new division focused on service journalism in the first quarter of next year.
Controversies:
- Will Lewis: Came under fire for allegedly clashing with former editor Sally Buzbee over coverage of a phone hacking case and for reportedly offering an exclusive interview to an NPR reporter in exchange for ignoring a story about phone hacking.
- Ethical Concerns: Reports indicated that Mr. Lewis and Mr. Winnett used fraudulently obtained records in news articles at the Sunday Times newspaper in London.
Next Steps:The Washington Post will conduct a search to fill the editor role, with a recruitment firm to be hired soon. The appointment process typically involves a lengthy search culminating in an interview with The Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos, and its chief executive.
Summary Table:
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment Announcement | June 2, 2024 | Will Lewis announces Robert Winnett as the new editor post-election. |
| Controversy Reports | June 2024 | NYT and The Post publish reports on Winnett’s unethical practices. |
| Withdrawal Announcement | June 21, 2024 | Winnett decides to stay at The Telegraph, confirmed by Chris Evans and Will Lewis. |
| Interim Leadership | June 2024 | Matt Murray continues as interim editor until after the U.S. elections. |
Conclusion:The decision by Mr. Winnett to step aside is a major setback for Will Lewis, who hired the British editor in a shake-up of The Post’s editorial ranks. The search for a new editor will begin immediately, with the aim of maintaining journalistic standards and addressing the financial challenges faced by The Washington Post.
