TechnologyFebruary 9, 2026

Leadership Change at The Washington Post

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② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

publisher/ˈpʌblɪʃər/

A person who runs a newspaper or book company.

"The publisher made an announcement."

layoff/ˈleɪɒf/

When a company stops employing some workers to save money.

"The company announced a layoff."

interim/ˈɪntərɪm/

Temporary and for a short time.

"An interim boss will lead the team."

Listening

Leadership Change at The Washington Post

Will Lewis stepped down as publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post on February 7, 2026. He had led the paper for two years. The company cut about 30 percent of its staff days earlier, and many journalists lost their jobs.

Jeff D'Onofrio, the chief financial officer, will serve as interim CEO and publisher. He joined the Post in 2025 as CFO. Lewis thanked owner Jeff Bezos in his note.

Staff and the newspaper union reacted with strong criticism. Many people said they were shocked by the fast cuts. In his email to staff, Lewis wrote, "now is the right time for me to step aside."

107 words

Quiz

1. When did Will Lewis step down?

2. Who will serve as interim CEO and publisher?

3. What did Lewis write in his email to staff?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you trust news from large newspapers in your country? Why or why not?

Have you ever lost a job or seen a company cut staff? What happened?

What do you think when a new leader comes in at your workplace?