A long-time Washington Post columnist decided to step down on Monday following a controversy surrounding the newspaper’s new editorial direction driven by its owner, Jeff Bezos. Ruth Marcus, who has been with the publication since 1984, expressed in her resignation letter that leaving was a difficult decision, as “it breaks my heart to conclude that I must leave.” This announcement was initially reported by The New York Times.
Marcus’ departure comes in reaction to Bezos’ directive requiring the newspaper’s opinion section to focus more narrowly on issues related to personal liberties and the free market. This change has already resulted in the resignation of David Shipley, the newspaper’s opinions editor, who also expressed disagreement with this new editorial approach.
According to Marcus, the newspaper’s publisher, Will Lewis, refused to publish a column she wrote which respectfully challenged Bezos’ policy shift. She noted that in nearly two decades of writing for the paper, this was the first instance of her column not being run, marking a significant moment in her career.
Marcus explained that the decision emphasized a concerning change in how editorial topics are selected, suggesting that columnists’ traditional freedom to explore various subjects has been significantly compromised.
A Washington Post spokesperson commented on the situation, stating, “We’re grateful for Ruth’s significant contributions to The Washington Post over the past 40 years. We respect her decision to leave and wish her the best.”
Throughout the previous year, the publication has been facing challenges both financially and editorially. The decision last fall by Bezos to refrain from endorsing any presidential candidate—despite an editorial plan to support Democrat Kamala Harris—resulted in a loss of subscribers. This uncertainty about the newspaper’s future has led several journalists to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Marcus’ resignation on Monday drew attention away from a plan for newsroom reorganization introduced by publisher Will Lewis.
