Len Downie Resigns: Washington Post Executive Editor To Step Down In September

Washington Post:

Leonard Downie Jr. said today he is stepping down as The Washington Post's executive editor, ending a 17-year tenure in which the paper became a major online force and won a slew of prizes for high-profile investigations, including one that Downie published over President Bush's objections.

Downie, 66, said his last day will be Sept. 8. The paper's new publisher, Katharine Weymouth, said she plans to announce a successor soon.

"After 44 years, the notion of not working in the newsroom anymore brings a lot of emotions," Downie said in an interview. "I will really miss it . . . At the same time I'm ready to do this, because so much further change now needs to take place at the newspaper and Web site, and someone else should be tackling that."

He summed up his management philosophy in a sentence: "You hire people smarter and more talented than you and enable them to do their best work."

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[BatedBreath]

I hope she puts hiatt out to pasture.

[Danny]

Yes, she could do wonders, and rebuild the WaPo. But I have low expectations. Her grandmother must be rolling in her grave.

[H.L. Mencken]

The moral worth of a civilized society is measured by its care and nurturing of its infants and senescent citizens! Do you young poster's make the grade for respect and moral compassion? If your lanuage is to be judged as a barometer apparently you do not!

[H.L. Mencken]

It appears that the general attitude of young Huff Posters is a continence and mien for everyone more specifically opinion shapers to retire at 30!

[Danny]

You are paid propagandists, Mencken & Peddler.

[Peddler]

In reading the responses, what a popular guy.......­would be concerned if they didn't like him.

[Peddler]

In reading the posted comments..­..........­.it nice to see and read about a popular individual­........Wo­uld be concerned if they didn't like him......

[Danny]

Downie should go straight to h*ll. His stewardship of the paper has been pathetic and criminal. The once proud WaPo has become a rupert-mur­doch-style tabloid. For shame! It won't get better under his successor because he has forced out or "downsized" all the good and honest reporters and analysts. And the news has to be a "profit center", like healthcare delivery in this country! I hate to use jargon but we need paradigm shifts in this country. ASAP, and we can start with the FCC, and reversing media consolidation.

[geg6]

Good riddance to bad trash.

[mjjcpa]

Another rat jumps ship

[Vetiver]

Good Riddance

[Irons]

This guy has been a tool of Bush and Cheney and has overseen the demise of a once great newspaper.

[Jason357]

I didn't think they still had editors at the Washington Post. I thought that the copy was just sent over from Cheney's office. It sure isn't like the Watergate days there, anymore.

[biwee]

I'll bet he already has a good job lined up with the Jerusalem POST!!

[ubetchaiam]

Now if only Fred Hiatt would resign.

[dadw5boys]

ABILITY AND ETHICS TAKES A BACK SEAT TO CONNECTIONS AND ASSKISSING!!!!

[xargaw]

The piece states that Downie even published ONE piece over President Bush's objections. That really says it all. Considering the corruption in the Bush Administration, there should be at least ONE THOUSAND pieces published over Bush's objections.

[BlueBerryPickN]

Gee, I wonder if its 'ownership related'??

...or perhaps generated by 'differences in opinion about opinion in journalism?

http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/tags/the_washington_post
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post#Political_stance

hummmmmm

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