Ruth Marcus Resigns from Washington Post After Column Critical of Bezos Canceled

Ruth Marcus, a prominent columnist and editor for The Washington Post, announced her resignation following the decision by CEO Will Lewis to kill a column she wrote that criticized changes made by owner Jeff Bezos to the opinion section. In her resignation email, Marcus expressed sadness over the erosion of journalistic independence, stating that her ability to provide independent commentary has been compromised. The changes, announced by Bezos, steer the opinion section towards advocating for 'personal liberties and free markets,' leading to significant backlash, including the resignation of the section's editor, David Shipley, and the cancellation of over 75,000 digital subscriptions. Critics of the new direction warn it threatens the diversity of viewpoints and the trust of readers in the editorial integrity of the paper. Marcus’s departure is seen as a significant moment in the ongoing transformation of The Post under Bezos’s ownership, which has faced declining readership and financial struggles. Meanwhile, some reactions to her resignation have been sharply critical, reflecting polarized views on her past writings and the paper's editorial direction.