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The Washington Post’s internal media critic has harshly criticized the paper’s new policy of avoiding self-reporting at a time when the newsroom continues to face turmoil.
The Washington Post’s resident journalism guru, Erik Wemple, fielded a slew of questions from readers during Monday’s briefing Live chat session About the ongoing drama plaguing Democracy Dies in the Dark thesis, including Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Ternes’ recent resignation after her boss rejected her portrayal of billionaire postal service boss Jeff Besso Illustration of Trump groveling to President-elect Donald Trump.
Wemple was asked directly why the Post did not report Telnaes’ exit from the paper.
“The Washington Post has a long history of comprehensive coverage of its internal affairs. But the newsroom’s media department had no information on the matter — just the AP story we posted on our website,” Wemple responded. “I asked executive editor Matt Murray about the paper’s changing approach to its workplace, and this is the response I got: ‘I do have a policy that generally we shouldn’t cover ourselves. I’ve always felt There’s so much inherent conflict, and of course sometimes it’s worthwhile for organizations, but certainly most news organizations have the same or similar policies that I put in place a few weeks ago, so there’s nothing to do with cartoons.'”
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Washington Post cartoonist Ann Ternas has resigned after the paper refused to publish illustrations mocking its billionaire boss Jeff Bezos. (Screenshot/CNN/AnnTelnaes)
Media critics personally rejected the policy.
“My opposition to this policy could not be stronger,” Wemple responded. “The Post’s willingness to report on its own missteps and scandals over the years has set it apart from the many news organizations that refuse to play by the same rules as politicians, CEOs, professional athletes, etc. I’m sure subscribers will appreciate that at this point.”
“For example, after the Washington Post’s presidential endorsement policy broke in October, I heard concerns from the media about this dynamic: How do they know what’s going on in the hallways or on Zoomways, as the case may be? Murray claims there is Conflicts of interest, of course there are conflicts of interest, conflicts of interest so great that they don’t even need to be declared, but for decades Post reporters have successfully navigated them, reported on them, and communicated with their colleagues. and handle hallways/Zoomways It’s clear from this chat that readers appreciate all of this work,” Wemple added.
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Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, said he implemented a new “policy” that the paper itself does not cover. (Robert Mueller/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
A spokesman for the Washington Post said fox news numbers Murray’s comments spoke for themselves and there was no further comment.
Wemple, a media opinion writer who works separately from fellow journalists in The Washington Post newsroom, did not shy away from Call out your employer.
He’s even done reporting for The Washington Post himself in the past. In 2022, Wemple reported behind the scenes drama The story unfolded after an erroneous article written by Taylor Lorenz (who left the Post in 2024).
Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple blasted Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray’s new policy, saying the paper shouldn’t be reporting on itself. (Screenshot/Washington Post)
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Last year, then-incoming Post publisher Will Lewis named Murray acting executive editor. There are recent reports that Murray will permanent role After an exhaustive and unsuccessful search for another candidate.
The Washington Post has been at the center of media controversy over the past year over newsroom tensions between Lewis and his staff, significant financial lossesBezos’ decision to withdraw the paper’s support for Vice President Kamala Harris sparked outrage and led to an unprecedented exodus of top talent from the paper in recent weeks.
