A report from the New York Times alleges that Will Lewis, the Washington Post’s new publisher and chief executive, used fraudulent and unethical methods to obtain information for articles while working at the Sunday Times in the early 2000s. These methods included hacking and paying sources for information. It is unclear if these allegations will lead to Lewis resigning from his position, but experts believe his grip on the newsroom is weakening.
The allegations of questionable journalistic ethics may have a lasting impact on the reputation of the Washington Post, which has already faced turmoil with the abrupt departure of its executive editor, Sally Buzbee. The Society of Professional Journalists warns against paying for access to news, and although it does not explicitly address hacking, it advises against using undercover or surreptitious methods unless absolutely necessary. Lewis has denied wrongdoing in past scandals.
Lewis has faced accusations in the past regarding his involvement in a phone hacking scandal coverup in the UK, which he has denied. The Washington Post has remained silent on the recent allegations. Lewis has stated that his role as publisher is to create an environment for great journalism and support it without interfering in the journalism process. The decade-old scandal involving Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World tabloid has resurfaced in recent years, with Lewis being connected to attempts to suppress stories about his involvement.
The abrupt departure of Sally Buzbee has led to further scrutiny of Lewis and a decline in morale among Washington Post staffers. Suggestions have been made for Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Post, to fire Lewis and find a new CEO to restore trust within and outside the newsroom. It has been recommended that Lewis acknowledge ethical boundaries and reinstate a public editor to oversee journalistic ethics implementation. Media organizations continue to investigate Lewis’s past actions, potentially making his leadership position more difficult.
Despite the allegations and controversy surrounding Lewis, he has maintained his position and denied any wrongdoing. The future of his role at the Washington Post remains uncertain as more details emerge about his past actions. The impact of these scandals on the newspaper’s reputation and staff morale is significant, leading to calls for a change in leadership to address ethical concerns and restore trust in the newsroom. Lewis’s actions and responses to these allegations will shape the future of the Washington Post under his leadership.
