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Washington Post publisher and CEO Fred Ryan announced Monday that he will step down as chairman of the newspaper in August.
Ryan, who oversaw the Washington Post for the past nine years shortly after it was acquired by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, will instead lead the newly formed nonpartisan center on public civility at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.
“Jeff personally provides support for the planning and design phase of this new initiative and supports my decision to take this step,” Ryan told The Washington Post staff in a note Monday.
Under his leadership, Ryan said, the paper has gone from a local print newspaper to a global digital publication, winning 13 Pulitzer Prizes. in statementThe Washington Post said it saw several years of profitability and a huge jump in digital subscriptions under Ryan.
But the Washington Post has not been immune to the broader industry struggles. The paper has laid off newsroom and corporate staff in recent years.
A wave of job cuts has hit the media industry recently, in both digital and traditional newsrooms. The industry is also grappling with the rise of artificial intelligence, and newsrooms, including the Washington Post, have begun to address issues such as safety, intellectual property compensation, transparency, accountability, and fairness.
In his memo, Ryan said his career transition comes at a time when he is “deeply and increasingly concerned about the decline of civility and respectful dialogue in our political process, on social media platforms and more broadly in our society.”
He continued, “Many of us can remember an era when people could disagree without being hateful. Political leaders on opposing sides of the aisle could find common ground for the good of the country.” “Today, the decline in urbanization has become a toxic and destructive force that threatens our social interactions and weakens the foundations of our democracy. I feel a strong sense of urgency on this issue.”
While Ryan will remain publisher through August, Bezos said Monday in another note that his “longtime friend and colleague” Patty Stauncifer will join as interim CEO. Stonesiever, an Amazon board member who was founding CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation after executive roles at Microsoft, will lead the search for a new CEO.
Read Fred Ryan’s memo to the staff here:
Subject: Letter to Fellows of The Washington Post
Dear colleagues at the Washington Post,
Nine years ago, I was honored to be chosen by Jeff Bezos as publisher and CEO of The Washington Post. Working with Jeff and the exceptional team at The Post has been an amazing and very enjoyable experience.
Together, we have achieved one of the most extraordinary transformations in the history of modern media. We have grown from a primarily local print newspaper to a global digital publication. We have added significantly to the formidable team of journalists, engineers and business experts and have taken The Post through many years of profitability. We’ve launched an innovative new technology platform that powers hundreds of other news websites around the world.
During this time, we’ve won numerous awards for exceptional journalism, including 13 Pulitzer Prizes, and have been twice named “The World’s Most Innovative Media Company” by Fast Company.
As I have engaged in conversations with many of you, I have a deep and growing concern about the decline of civility and respectful dialogue in our political process, on social media platforms and more broadly throughout our society. Many of us can remember an era when people could disagree without being obnoxious. Political leaders on opposing sides can find common ground in favor of the country. Today, the decline in civility has become a toxic and destructive force that threatens our social interactions and weakens the foundations of our democracy. I feel a strong sense of urgency about this issue.
As a result, I have decided to leave my post at The Post to lead the nonpartisan Center for Public Civility Launched by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Institute and Foundation. Jeff personally supports the planning and design phase of this new initiative and supports my decision to take this step.
In order to provide advice and counsel during this transition, I have agreed to remain publisher of The Washington Post until August 1st. Jeff will announce a new interim CEO later today. He is an exceptional individual who I hold in the highest respect.
In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to spending time with all of my friends and colleagues across The Post to express my deep appreciation for your many wonderful contributions to our success. I am committed to offering my full support as the interim CEO charts the course for this transition and the bright future that awaits The Post.
With my deepest appreciation to each and every one of you,
unique.
Read Jeff Bezos’ memo here:
Subject: Letter to the Washington Post staff
Dear Washington Post Team,
I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Fred for his selfless service to The Washington Post as publisher and CEO.
Fred led The Post through a period of innovation, journalistic excellence, and growth. His focus on the intersection of journalism and technology was of great benefit to readers and laid the foundation for future growth.
Farid is widely respected for his advocacy of press freedom and the protection of journalists. In addition to launching the Press Freedom Partnership, he has been a relentless force in his dedication to securing the release of wrongly arrested journalists and an unwavering voice for accountability from those who harm them.
I am so grateful to Fred for his leadership and the friendship we have developed over the years. I look forward to continuing to enjoy both while he works to enhance civility in our nation’s discourse.
To ensure we don’t skip anything, Fred has agreed to stay on as publisher for the next two months, and my old friend and colleague Patty Stunisever will join The Post today as interim CEO. You’ll chair our leadership team, guide us through this important transition, and help me decide which publisher/CEO will take the publication forward into the next decade. Patty has built and led great organizations. You’ll soon see why I like it. Her skills, judgment, and personality stand out. She also understands the importance of our mission and has a deep respect for the work we do here.
Please join me in thanking Fred as he prepares for his new venture and in welcoming Patty as interim CEO.
Thanks,
Jeff
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