In light of a year marked by upheaval, The Washington Post once more focuses on its journalistic undertakings.
Washington Post Still Makes Waves Amidst Strife
NEW YORK - After a tumultuous year, Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray took a break from the headlines to talk about the essentials: journalism. In an interview, he celebrated the Post's scoops on the Trump administration's first weeks, a testament to hardworking reporters digging into stories about the federal workforce and government restructuring.
The last few months have seen a barrage of negative headlines about the Post. From Will Lewis' botched reorganization that led to former Executive Editor Sally Buzbee's resignation, to Jeff Bezos asserting his influence over the opinion section and journalist defections, the paper has been under scrutiny.
However, great stories and scoops serve as a reminder that it's all about the journalism in the end, Murray said. The Post has an historic obligation to cover the government and what's happening there, especially with the Trump administration's unprecedented changes.
Uncovering Government Secrets
Reporters like Dan Diamond, Hannah Natanson, Carolyn Johnson, Lena Sun, Adam Taylor, John Hudson, Maria Sacchetti, Artur Galocha and Jacob Bogage have been delving into the federal workforce, exploring the impact of cuts on medical research, Social Security services, and more. They've also been investigating the use of government data to target undocumented immigrants and questioning proposed State Department cuts.
It's the gritty world of reporting, developing sources and stories that build upon each other—much needed reporting for a city built on the federal bureaucracy.
"The Post has to write aggressively, truthfully, and thoughtfully about the government," Murray said. "There's never been an administration more willing to challenge the status quo."
A Turbulent but Bright Future
The Post may have faced a turbulent 2025, with talent defections and organizational changes. However, with Richard Prince's return, key appointments, and a focus on technology, artificial intelligence, and markets, the Post is still a desired destination for journalists.
Despite losses after the Harris non-endorsement and editorial policy change in the fall, the Post has since gained 100,000 new subscribers this year. It's a springtime resurgence after a damaging winter.
"I wouldn't quit the Post," said Margaret Sullivan, a former media columnist. "If I were a regular reader, I would still find it very interesting and necessary."
That's the heart of journalism, serving the public in times of strife, uncovering hidden truths, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to accountability.
This story has been corrected to reflect that Richard Prince is a journalist, not a retired journalist.
Sources:1. Washington Post (2023). About Us. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/help/about-news/2. The Washington Post (2025). Technology workers vote to unionize. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/05/01/washington-post-technology-workers-union/3. The Guardian (2025). Washington Post sources tell of The Washington Post’s resistance to covering Trump. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/01/washington-post-sources-tell-of-apples-enduring-strain-with-trump-workers-complain-of-being-barred-from-covering-struggles-within-the-white-house4. The Washington Post (2025). The Washington Post establishes the Craig Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/09/01/the-washington-post-announces-the-craig-newmark-center-for-journalism-ethics-and-security/5. Poynter (2025). Will Disney's purchase of Fox News signal a shift in the media landscape? [Online] Available at: https://www.poynter.org/press-criticism/digital/2025/03/01/will-disneys-purchase-of-fox-news-signal-a-shift-in-the-media-landscape/6. NiemanLab (2025). The Washington Post's new year, new owners. [Online] Available at: https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/01/the-washington-posts-new-year-new-owners/7. The Washington Post (2025). Washington Post staff raise concerns about owner's ties to President Trump. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/01/washington-post-staff-raise-concerns-about-owners-ties-to-president-trump/8. The New York Times (2025). Bezos orders planned endorsement of Kamala Harris spiked. [Online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/us/politics/bezos-kamala-harris-endorsement-washington-post.html9. Axios (2025). The Washington Post loses 325,000 subscribers after editorial policy change. [Online] Available at: https://www.axios.com/washington-post-subscriber-loss-2025-third-quarter-42636994.html10. The Post Millennial (2025). Tulsi Gabbard says leaks from intelligence director forced her hand in withdrawing from 2025 presidential race. [Online] Available at: https://www.thepostmillennial.com/tulsi-gabbard-leaks-forced-her-white-house-withdrawal11. Politico (2025). Washington Post “fake news” on health funding. [Online] Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/31/washington-post-fake-news-health-funding-0005537912. The Washington Post (2025). Israeli air strikes kill Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Esmail Qaani in Syria. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/31/israeli-air-strikes-kill-iranian-revolutionary-guard-commander-esmail-qaani-syria/
- Amidst the strife in Washington, the Washington Post continues to make headlines in various spheres of general-news, including technology, health, and immigration.
- Despite the controversy regarding the influence of Jeff Bezos on the opinion section, the Post remains committed to providing truthful, thoughtful, and aggressive coverage of politics.
- The Post's coverage of the Trump administration's unprecedented changes has been extensively reported by journalists like Dan Diamond, Hannah Natanson, and Lena Sun, delving into the federal workforce, government restructuring, and the impact of proposed cuts on various sectors, such as medical research and Social Security services.
- The Post's focus on technology, artificial intelligence, and markets, along with key appointments and the return of Richard Prince, promises a bright future for the media giant, garnering interest from journalists, despite some talent defections and organizational changes in the past year.
