The Washington Post press release announcing that Kevin Merida will become assistant managing editor for national news answered a few questions. Rajiv Chandrasekaran and Bill Hamilton, who ran the national desk after the removal of Susan Glasser, will remain with the Post. Hamilton becomes editor of “enterprise journalism.” Chandrasekaran becomes an associate editor working on “projects.”
“These moves mark the start of what will be a series of shifts aimed at better structuring our news operations,” said the press release.
According to reports from the newsroom, unconfirmed by officials, the shifts will include the exit of managing editor Philip Bennett. This will be no surprise to students of Management 101. Having been passed over for the executive editor job, which went to Marcus Brauchli, Bennett was a dead man walking in the newsroom. Bennett has been managing the day-to-day new operations while Brauchli concentrated on strategic affairs.
The same sources hear that Liz Spayd could become the first managing editor of Washington Post Media, which means she would oversee help both the newspaper and washingtonpost.com. Spayd seems perfectly suited for the merged role. She rose from reporter to national news chief, then crossed the Potomac to direct political news at washingtonpost.com.
Spayd could not be reached to comment.
What’s beyond speculation is that Post publisher Katharine Weymouth has told managers she hopes to trim $85 million from the Post’s operating budget over the next two years. That amounts to about 5 percent of the annual expenses. In meetings after Weymouth handed down a “strategic framework” letter last week, editors have told reporters that the news hole will shrink as more stories are published on washingtonpost.com. There will be few new hires, if any. Another round of buyouts should be expected. To save on newsprint, the size of the newspaper will shrink and the newsprint will be thinner.
A good time was had by all at Thursday night’s party for Brauchli at the Georgetown home of Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, but the $85 million in coming cuts—roughly 10 percent of the newspaper division’s expenses—was on the minds of many in the room.
Changes—Announced and Unannounced—at the Washington Post
The Washington Post press release announcing that Kevin Merida will become assistant managing editor for national news answered a few questions. Rajiv Chandrasekaran and Bill Hamilton, who ran the national desk after the removal of Susan Glasser, will remain with the Post. Hamilton becomes editor of “enterprise journalism.” Chandrasekaran becomes an associate editor working on “projects.”
“These moves mark the start of what will be a series of shifts aimed at better structuring our news operations,” said the press release.
According to reports from the newsroom, unconfirmed by officials, the shifts will include the exit of managing editor Philip Bennett. This will be no surprise to students of Management 101. Having been passed over for the executive editor job, which went to Marcus Brauchli, Bennett was a dead man walking in the newsroom. Bennett has been managing the day-to-day new operations while Brauchli concentrated on strategic affairs.
The same sources hear that Liz Spayd could become the first managing editor of Washington Post Media, which means she would oversee help both the newspaper and washingtonpost.com. Spayd seems perfectly suited for the merged role. She rose from reporter to national news chief, then crossed the Potomac to direct political news at washingtonpost.com.
Spayd could not be reached to comment.
What’s beyond speculation is that Post publisher Katharine Weymouth has told managers she hopes to trim $85 million from the Post’s operating budget over the next two years. That amounts to about 5 percent of the annual expenses. In meetings after Weymouth handed down a “strategic framework” letter last week, editors have told reporters that the news hole will shrink as more stories are published on washingtonpost.com. There will be few new hires, if any. Another round of buyouts should be expected. To save on newsprint, the size of the newspaper will shrink and the newsprint will be thinner.
A good time was had by all at Thursday night’s party for Brauchli at the Georgetown home of Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, but the $85 million in coming cuts—roughly 10 percent of the newspaper division’s expenses—was on the minds of many in the room.
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
I Tried to Train for American Ninja Warrior
Trump Wants to Rename Soccer, the Nationals Chose a Shortstop, and Virginians Are the US French-Fry-Eating Champions
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
Families of DC Air Disaster Victims Criticize Army’s Response, Trump Settles His Scores Via Tariff, and Police Dog Kicked at Dulles Returns to Work
This DC-Area Lawyer Wants More Americans Betting on Elections
Trump Threatens DC Takeover, Says He’d Run the City “So Good”; Supreme Court OKs Mass Federal Worker Layoffs; and You Should Go Pick Some Sunflowers