The Murder of The Washington Post Today’s layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special.; The Atlantic, February 4, 2026

Ashley Parker, The Atlantic ; The Murder of The Washington Post Today’s layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special.

"We’re witnessing a murder.

Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of The Washington Post, and Will Lewis, the publisher he appointed at the end of 2023, are embarking on the latest step of their plan to kill everything that makes the paper special. The Post has survived for nearly 150 years, evolving from a hometown family newspaper into an indispensable national institution, and a pillar of the democratic system. But if Bezos and Lewis continue down their present path, it may not survive much longer.

Over recent years, they’ve repeatedly cut the newsroom—killing its Sunday magazine, reducing the staff by several hundred, nearly halving the Metro desk—without acknowledging the poor business decisions that led to this moment or providing a clear vision for the future. This morning, executive editor Matt Murray and HR chief Wayne Connell told the newsroom staff in an early-morning virtual meeting that it was closing the Sports department and Books section, ending its signature podcast, and dramatically gutting the International and Metro departments, in addition to staggering cuts across all teams. Post leadership—which did not even have the courage to address their staff in person—then left everyone to wait for an email letting them know whether or not they had a job. (Lewis, who has already earned a reputation for showing up late to work when he showed up at all, did not join the Zoom.)

The Post may yet rise, but this will be their enduring legacy."

John Grisham poached material for new book, media outlets say; The Washington Post, October 18, 2024

Will Sommer,  The Washington Post; John Grisham poached material for new book, media outlets say 

"Both ProPublica and the Times said in statements to The Post that they want changes made to “Framed” to better credit Colloff.

“We are in conversation with the publisher to correct this very concerning oversight and ensure the original work receives appropriate credit,” ProPublica said in its statement.

The similarities between Colloff’s series and Grisham’s writing were first noted publicly by Maurice Chammah, a criminal justice reporter for the Marshall Project who reviewed “Framed” for the Times.

Chammah wrote “Grisham relies so heavily on Pamela Colloff’s 2018 reporting” that “simply mentioning her work in a note at the end does not feel adequate.”

Chammah said Grisham’s use of Colloff’s series is especially notable because reporting on apparent wrongful convictions can require years of painstaking investigation."

Pulitzer winner returns to the University of Pittsburgh for forum on Supreme Court ethics; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 12, 2024

ABBY LIPOLD , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; Pulitzer winner returns to the University of Pittsburgh for forum on Supreme Court ethics

"Mr. Murphy said about half of the readers of his series thought “there was an obvious breach in propriety,” but the other half thought the issue wasn’t worth reporting on."

Don’t forget how the movement that changed Hollywood started: With great reporting; Washington Post, March 4, 2018

Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post; Don’t forget how the movement that changed Hollywood started: With great reporting

"The world has changed since last year’s Oscars — and for the better.

So let’s not forget what got us there: great journalism.

Legacy media companies may be under constant criticism, and trust in the press may be at a low point.

But less than six months after the New York Times broke its first story about abusive film mogul Harvey Weinstein in early October — quickly followed by more revelations from the New Yorker magazine — American culture has been flipped on its head.

Nothing is the same: Not awards shows, not the corporate workplace, not national politics."

The murder that killed free media in Russia; Guardian, 10/5/16

Shaun Walker, Guardian; The murder that killed free media in Russia:

"In the decade since Politkovskaya’s death, the space for independent journalism in Russia has narrowed further.

Since 2006, the Committee to Protect Journalists has recorded 20 journalists’ killings, while Freedom House has counted 63 violent attacks on reporters. But for the most part, the threat of closure keeps publications in line and encourages self-censorship."