Glenn Kessler, the Washington Post’s long-time fact-checker, has taken a buyout after 27 years, leaving the paper without a replacement. The decision comes amid broader staff departures linked to editorial shifts under owner Jeff Bezos, with the Post facing challenges in maintaining its journalistic standing. Kessler, known for his ‘Pinocchios’ ratings, expressed regret over leaving without a successor but emphasized it was the right time for him. The Post’s leadership, including editor Matt Murray, acknowledged the need for a new fact-checker, but no replacement has been confirmed yet.
The voluntary separation program (VSP), introduced by the Post’s CEO Will Lewis, has led to a wave of departures, with high-profile writers like Jonathan Capehart, Catherine Rampell, and Philip Bump taking the buyout. The program, designed to accommodate staff who felt misaligned with the paper’s new direction, has seen many longtime journalists leave, raising concerns about the paper’s editorial stability. The paper’s billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos, has pushed for a more politically neutral stance, promoting ‘personal liberties and free markets’ and blocking the endorsement of Kamala Harris, which led to significant backlash and resignations.
Kessler’s departure highlights the ongoing struggles at The Washington Post, which has faced mounting pressure from both sides of the political spectrum. His 3,000+ fact checks have become a significant part of the paper’s content, and his exit leaves a void in the Post’s ability to provide fact-based journalism. The paper’s leadership has expressed a desire to continue the fact-checking tradition, but without a clear successor, the future of the Fact Checker project remains uncertain. The Post’s editorial team is now tasked with finding a replacement, a challenge complicated by the ongoing leadership changes and financial pressures at the organization.
The financial implications of the buyouts and staff exodus are substantial for the Washington Post, which has been struggling to maintain profitability amid shifting media consumption habits and declining subscription rates. The VSP, while offering financial security to departing staff, also represents a loss of institutional knowledge and experience, further complicating the Post’s efforts to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape. As the paper moves forward, the question of maintaining its journalistic integrity and editorial independence under new leadership remains a pressing concern for the media industry.