Eugene Robinson, a long-standing columnist for The Washington Post, has announced his departure from the publication.
This decision follows a shift in the Postโs opinion section under the directive of owner Jeff Bezos, who has narrowed its focus to themes of personal liberties and the free market.
Robinson, aged 71, who has been with the paper since 1980 and a columnist since 2005, is renowned for his Pulitzer Prize-winning work covering the election of Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States, in 2008.
In a memo addressed to his colleagues, Robinson referenced the โsignificant shiftโ in the opinion sectionโs objectives, describing it as a catalyst for his decision to leave.
His exit comes after that of fellow veteran columnist Ruth Marcus, who resigned last month following managementโs refusal to publish her critique of Bezosโ new policy.
This personnel movement reflects a broader turbulence within the Post over the past year.
In line with its recent policy, the newspaper has not allowed staff to publicly comment on internal issues.
The newspaperโs opinion editor, David Shipley, has also resigned due to the changes in editorial direction.
On Thursday, Robinson announced via social media that while he is retiring from his cherished journalistic role at the Post, he is not stepping away from journalism entirely.
He promised to keep his audience updated on his future endeavors.
Fans of his insights can still catch him frequently as a commentator on MSNBCโs โMorning Joe.โ
Robinsonโs career in journalism commenced in the 1970s at the San Francisco Chronicle before he joined The Washington Post.
Throughout his tenure, he handled various critical roles including correspondent positions in London and South America, city editor, foreign editor, and assistant managing editor.
The Washington Post, in a statement, extended its congratulations to Robinson on his retirement, describing him as a โbelovedโ figure whose strong perspectives and integrity have significantly influenced public conversations, establishing him as a leading figure in American journalism.