In a surprising announcement, Fred Ryan, the long-standing publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post, revealed on Monday that he would be stepping down from his position. This decision marked the end of his nearly decade-long tenure as the newspaper’s top business executive. Ryan, who was appointed by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Post, expressed his gratitude to the staff in a note, stating that his next venture would involve leading the Center on Public Civility, a new project supported by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and backed by Bezos.
During an interview, Ryan reflected on his achievements at The Post and expressed pride in his business record. He highlighted the significant increase in the newspaper’s digital subscribers from 35,000 to an impressive 2.5 million. Additionally, Ryan acknowledged his role in a press freedom partnership, where he successfully advocated for the release of Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian from Iran and vehemently condemned the murder of former Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Reflecting on the transformation of The Post, Ryan remarked on the organization’s journey from primarily print and local to a global and digital presence. He described it as one of the most remarkable transformations in the news industry.
Jeff Bezos personally thanked Ryan for his service, recognizing his leadership in driving innovation, journalistic excellence, and growth at The Post.
News of Ryan’s departure came as a shock to the newsroom, with the masthead and senior editors being informed just before the official announcement. This sudden news highlighted the mixed track record of Ryan during his tenure. Initially appointed shortly after Bezos’ acquisition of the newspaper in 2013, Ryan worked alongside Marty Baron, the paper’s former executive editor, to revitalize The Post’s newsroom and expand its journalism, resulting in a surge in digital subscriptions. The Post went on to win several prestigious awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes for national reporting and feature writing, as well as a Pulitzer for a nonfiction book.
However, the newspaper faced challenges in recent years, struggling to maintain subscriber growth as the intense reader interest in politics diminished after the Trump administration. The current subscriber count of 2.5 million remained relatively unchanged from the previous year, and down from the three million reported in 2020.
The New York Times conducted interviews with Post employees who expressed frustration with Ryan’s leadership, describing a stagnant business culture characterized by endless meetings and ineffective strategy memos. Tensions also arose between Ryan and Sally Buzbee, the executive editor, regarding the publication’s direction.
Last year, Ryan accused Cameron Barr, the second-most-senior editor, of leaking unfavorable information to the press, leading to a contentious situation. Barr, who recently announced his departure from The Post, declined to comment, and the newspaper refrained from providing a statement on their interactions. Notably, there was no evidence supporting Ryan’s claims according to a person familiar with the matter.
Following reports on The Post’s struggles, Bezos made a rare visit to the newspaper, meeting with editorial leaders and business executives to better understand the situation. During these meetings, employees expressed concerns about the lack of a clear business strategy and Ryan’s management style. Bezos assured them of his continued involvement and his commitment to the newspaper.
Soon after Bezos’ visit, The Post faced layoffs, including 20 journalists and the closure of its popular video-gaming section. The newspaper attributed these actions to the “economic climate” and decided not to fill an additional 30 positions.
The Post continued to experience departures of notable talent, including its chief revenue officer,
Joy Robins, and senior culture editor David Malitz, who both joined The Times. Several high-profile reporters also left for other publications, such as Eli Saslow, Robert Samuels, and Stephanie McCrummen.
The news of Ryan’s impending departure brought relief to some employees. Within the Washington Post union’s instant messaging chat, staff members suggested celebrating the occasion with a party playlist and procuring champagne.
Katie Mettler, co-chair of The Washington Post Guild, acknowledged the challenging years for the newspaper but expressed cautious optimism about the future.
The successor to Ryan will face the task of revitalizing subscriber growth and navigating the challenges of the digital advertising market. The upcoming presidential election might provide an opportunity for a boost as readers turn to The Post for its authoritative political coverage.
Signs have emerged that Bezos has increased his involvement in The Post’s operations. He held regular meetings with Post managers, focusing on finances, online strategy, and other critical issues.
Patty Stonesifer, former chief executive of Martha’s Table, will assume the role of interim chief executive at The Post. Bezos praised Stonesifer’s skills, judgment, and character, emphasizing her understanding of the newspaper’s mission and her deep respect for its work. Stonesifer will be responsible for leading the search for Ryan’s permanent successor, while Ryan himself will continue as publisher for the next two months.
In a meeting with the newsroom, Stonesifer expressed her enthusiasm for The Washington Post and assured the staff of Bezos’ unwavering support. She emphasized that her role as interim chief executive would focus on maintaining momentum and stability. Stonesifer also clarified that there were no plans for additional layoffs.
Furthermore, Stonesifer will retain her position as an independent director on Amazon’s board, a role she has held since 1997, ensuring a continued connection between the two organizations.
her,” he said. “Her skills, judgment and character all stand out. She also understands the importance of our mission and has a deep respect for the work we do here.”
Ms. Stonesifer will help lead the search for the permanent successor to Mr. Ryan, who will remain publisher for the next two months.
In a meeting with the newsroom on Monday afternoon, Ms. Stonesifer said she expected to be in the role for six months to a year.
She called herself “the No. 1 fan of The Washington Post,” and she assured the staff that Mr. Bezos “loves The Washington Post,” according to an audio recording of the meeting.
“The Post is a big part of his DNA now, I think,” she said.
Ms. Stonesifer said there were no plans for any additional layoffs.
“I don’t think it’s right for an interim to overhaul,” Ms. Stonesifer said, adding, “I’m here to keep this operation-building momentum.”
Ms. Stonesifer said she would remain as an independent director on Amazon’s board, a position she has held since 1997.