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Washington Post Top Editor Calls It Quits

Downie presided as Internet transformed newspapers, media

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 23, 2008 8:40 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Washington Post's executive editor is retiring, he said today, after a 17-year run that included many prizes, painful staff cuts, and the rise of the Internet. A low-profile but highly respected figure, Leonard Downie Jr. told his staff he would miss the paper. "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."

The Post won 25 Pulitzer Prizes on Downie's watch, including six this April and one on secret CIA prisons Downie ran despite a personal request from President Bush that he kill the story. The Post's new recently appointed publisher, Katherine Weymouth, has said publicly that she is searching for a new editor for the Post and has interviewed a number of candidates.

Executive Editor of The Washington Post Leonard Downie Jr., right, speaks on Monday, April 7, 2008, in Washington. At left is vice president at large Ben Bradlee.
Executive Editor of The Washington Post Leonard Downie Jr., right, speaks on Monday, April 7, 2008, in Washington. At left is vice president at large Ben Bradlee.   (AP Photo)
Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downey delivers remarks in this undated file photo.
Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downey delivers remarks in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images)
In this April 7, 2007 file photo, Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr., holds up a previously won Pulitzer Prize medallionon Monday June 23, 2008.
In this April 7, 2007 file photo, Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr., holds up a previously won Pulitzer Prize medallionon Monday June 23, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr., right, hands the microphone over to reporter Steve Pearlstein, left, on Monday, April 7, 2008, in Washington.
Washington Post Executive Editor Leonard Downie Jr., right, hands the microphone over to reporter Steve Pearlstein, left, on Monday, April 7, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo)
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Who will replace him?
Washingtonian

Von Drehle wants the job
Washington City Paper

 
newspaper • Washington Post • retirement • editor • newsrooms • newsroom cuts

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