The Washington Post’s new publisher, Will Lewis, is facing scrutiny over his involvement in a British phone hacking scandal from his time working for Rupert Murdoch. Lewis, who denies any wrongdoing, has been accused of pressuring the Post’s executive editor, Sally Buzbee, not to cover a development in the scandal involving Prince Harry. While Lewis denies these allegations, it has raised questions about his ethical behavior as a publisher. Buzbee, who abruptly departed from the Post, has not commented on her departure.
The New York Times reported that Lewis tried to suppress coverage of the phone hacking scandal, but the Post denies this claim. Lewis has also been accused of offering NPR an exclusive interview in exchange for dropping a story about his involvement in the scandal, an offer that NPR refused. Despite Lewis’ attempts to dismiss these allegations, journalists at various news organizations have deemed the story newsworthy, further casting doubt on his credibility.
In an email to staff members, Lewis acknowledged the need to improve communication and trust within the newsroom. He invited them to participate in discussions on his restructuring plan, emphasizing the importance of working together to build the future of The Post. While some journalists have raised concerns about the restructuring plan, Lewis has stressed the urgency of taking action to address the decline in digital readership at the publication.
Lewis, who grew up in Britain where journalism has a more aggressive style, has hired editors who share his background in the industry. One of the editors, Robert Winnett, previously worked with Lewis at the Daily Telegraph, where they pursued stories based on paid records—an approach that differs from traditional American journalism standards. Despite the internal turmoil at the Post, Lewis remains focused on the need for decisive action to attract readers to the publication.
The controversy surrounding Lewis and the Washington Post comes at a critical time, just before the upcoming presidential election. With Republicans set to nominate Donald Trump for president and the campaign against incumbent President Joe Biden intensifying, the credibility of news organizations like the Post is crucial. As the publication grapples with the fallout from Lewis’ alleged involvement in the phone hacking scandal, the future direction of the Post and its role in shaping political journalism remains uncertain.
