William Lewis, the new publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post, allegedly tried to suppress a story regarding his involvement in a UK phone hacking scandal coverup by offering an exclusive interview to a NPR reporter in exchange for not publishing the forthcoming article. The scandal, which involved right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s “News of the World” tabloid, resurfaced in a recent lawsuit filed by Prince Harry and other notable figures, including Guy Ritchie and Hugh Grant. Lewis, who was a senior executive at Murdoch’s News Corporation at the time, has denied any wrongdoing.
In December, NPR media reporter David Folkenflik reported that Lewis attempted to persuade him not to publish the story about his potential involvement in the scandal by offering an exclusive interview about The Washington Post’s future. Despite Lewis’s efforts, NPR published the article, revealing Lewis’s connection to the hacking cover-up. The New York Times also reported a clash between Lewis and former Post executive editor Sally Buzbee over a decision to publish an article naming Lewis in relation to the hacking scandal. Buzbee felt pressured by Lewis to not cover the story.
The Post did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. Buzbee’s departure was announced shortly after the story about Lewis was published, with former Wall Street Journal editor Matt Murray taking over as executive editor. Lewis praised Buzbee as an incredible leader and media executive, but newsroom morale reportedly decreased following her departure and the reports about Lewis.
Lewis had recently unveiled a plan to revitalize the struggling newspaper, citing a $77 million loss over the past year and a 50% drop in audience traffic since 2020. He acknowledged that The Washington Post was facing challenges and expressed a need for significant changes to address the financial difficulties. The sudden departure of Buzbee, coupled with reports about Lewis’s involvement in the hacking scandal, added to the turmoil within the newsroom.
The situation highlights the ethical concerns surrounding Lewis’s alleged attempts to suppress a story that could potentially tarnish his reputation. The clash between Lewis and Buzbee also raises questions about editorial integrity and journalistic independence at The Washington Post. The company’s response to these issues and the appointment of a new executive editor will likely impact the future direction of the newspaper and its relationship with the public. Amidst these challenges, it remains to be seen how The Washington Post will navigate the fallout from these revelations and work towards rebuilding trust with its readers and staff.
