Following a turbulent year, The Washington Post once again focuses on its groundbreaking reporting.
Washing the Dirty Linen: The Washington Post's Relentless Pursuit of Truth
Ryan O'Reilly (AP) — After a tumultuous year under the scrutiny of headlines, The Washington Post's executive editor Matt Murray took a moment to celebrate the journalism itself. In an interview, he touted the newspaper's "100 scoops in 100 days" about the Trump administration's first weeks, a claim rooted in solid reporting from the gritty world of federal workforce changes.
The Post's coverage under the heavier spotlight was far from rosy, with negative stories spreading like wildfire. From publisher Will Lewis' controversial reorganization leading to former executive editor Sally Buzbee's resignation, to owner Jeff Bezos flexing his muscles over the opinion section, and the defections by concerned journalists.
"Reminding the world that it's all about the journalism ultimately matters, both inside and out," Murray said, emphasizing the importance of great stories and scoops.
The Nitty-Gritty of Federal Workforce Reporting
At the heart of the Post's reporting was the grunt work of digging into intricate details about the Department of Government Efficiency-inspired cuts and their consequences. Reporters like Dan Diamond, Hannah Natanson, and Carolyn Y. Johnson uncovered the implications of proposed cuts for medical research and services for Social Security recipients. Rachel Siegel, Laura Meckler, and Natanson once again took up the baton, analyzing how government data was used to target undocumented immigrants.
Adam Taylor and John Hudson delved into proposals for staff and program reductions at the State Department, while Maria Sacchetti and Artur Galocha shone a light on how half of the reported immigration enforcement arrests were already incarcerated. Jacob Bogage even uncovered a Trump appointee asking the IRS to review an audit of conservative personality Mike Lindell.
This was the hard-nosed, systematic reporting the city of Washington thrives on, with the Post fulfiling its historic duty of aggressive, truthful, and thoughtful coverage of the government.
"With the Trump administration bringing its most aggressive change program in recent memory, the pressure to deliver accurate, impactful reporting has never been greater," Murray explained.
Margaret Sullivan, a former media columnist at the Post still teaching at Columbia University and running the Craig Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security, praised the efforts. "I've been pleased to see the hard work coming from the journalists there," she said, "despite the difficulties caused by the ownership and management."
The Post Gets Under Trump's Skin
Though The Washington Post hasn't quite earned its own Truth Social post yet, President Donald Trump's return marked a notable achievement — getting under Trump's skin. The White House labelled one of the Post's stories about health funding "fake news," while Tulsi Gabbard, national intelligence director, cited a Post story about Israel and Iran among her reasons to seek out internal leakers.
The reporting has also dispelled lingering concerns about ownership change affecting news coverage. Last fall, Jeff Bezos scrapped a planned endorsement of Trump opponent Kamala Harris, causing an exodus of angry subscribers. Bezos then embraced traditional conservative values, leading to the resignations of editorial page editor David Shipley and columnists Ruth Marcus and Eugene Robinson.
The Post's coverage of the decentralized cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE) has been commended by many, with some noting it's been on par with more established news outlets. However, the opinion section's shift towards personal liberties and the free market raised eyebrows, leaving many questioning the newspaper's commitment to its core values.
"Their DOGE coverage has been remarkable, as good as any," said Robert McCartney, a retired Post columnist. "They have broken numerous news stories and engaged in significant accountability reporting." However, this positive coverage has been somewhat overshadowed by the ongoing turmoil at the top and talent defections.
New Opportunities Galore
Amid the turmoil and a sea of red ink leading to layoffs, the Post experienced a significant talent defection at the end of last year. High-profile departures included Matea Gold, a respected managing editor, and journalists Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker, Philip Rucker, and Michael Scherer. At a time when there are more journalists than job opportunities, the Post remains an attractive destination for many.
"Though the turmoil comes from the top, the reporters are doing good work for the most part," said Richard Prince, a retired reporter and editor who spent over two decades at the Post. "It's a shame that such talent has left, but new opportunities have emerged for others to shine."
Matt Murray, who had the "interim" removed from his title earlier this year, agrees. Despite the challenges, the Post continues to move forward, appointing key deputies and exploring new coverage areas. The newspaper will focus more on technology, artificial intelligence, and market trends, demonstrating ongoing adaptability in the rapidly evolving world of journalism.
The Post's subscription numbers have taken a hit, with an estimated 325,000 subscribers lost after the change in editorial policy and the scrapped endorsement of Kamala Harris. The newspaper won't comment on whether it has recovered this number, but it did report a surge of 100,000 new subscribers this year. Spring is here, and the Post looks busier than ever, ready to face whatever comes its way.
"I wouldn't quit the Post," Sullivan concluded. "If I were a regular reader, I would still find it very interesting and necessary."
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Ryan O'Reilly writes about the interwoven worlds of media, politics, and society for the AP. Follow him at x.com/ryanoreilly and bsky.app/profile/ryan.oreilly.bsky.social
- The Washington Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, emphasized the importance of great stories and scoops, stating that it matters both inside and outside the organization.
- Reporters such as Dan Diamond, Hannah Natanson, and Carolyn Y. Johnson delved into the implications of proposed cuts for medical research and services for Social Security recipients.
- Adam Taylor and John Hudson scrutinized proposals for staff and program reductions at the State Department, while Margaret Sullivan praised the hard work coming from the journalists at the Post, despite the difficulties caused by ownership and management.
- Though The Washington Post hasn't quite earned its own Truth Social post yet, the newspaper's reporting has been noted for getting under President Donald Trump's skin.
- Amid the turmoil and layoffs, the Post remains an attractive destination for many journalists, with new opportunities emerging for others to shine.
- The Post will focus more on technology, artificial intelligence, and market trends, demonstrating ongoing adaptability in the rapidly evolving world of journalism.
- The IRS is under scrutiny after a Trump appointee asked for a review of an audit involving conservative personality Mike Lindell, as uncovered by reporter Jacob Bogage. This story raises questions about the relationship between politics, business, and journalism in 2024 and beyond.
