Glenn Kessler, the former fact-checker of the Washington Post, raised concerns about the paper’s recent efforts to expand its audience by appealing to conservative readers. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he criticized the paper’s new publisher, Will Lewis, for seeking his advice on strategies to attract viewers of Fox News. Kessler argued that the Post’s reader base is primarily liberal, and the recent changes in editorial direction, including the suspension of endorsements for Kamala Harris and the shift towards promoting free-market policies, have resulted in a significant loss of subscriptions and internal strife.
Kessler emphasized that maintaining the paper’s journalistic standards is crucial, and that fostering a diverse range of viewpoints in journalism is necessary for a balanced readership. He pointed out that the Post’s editorial pages have historically included conservative columnists, such as Marc Thiessen and the late Charles Krauthammer, which demonstrates the newspaper’s historical openness to diverse perspectives. However, he expressed concern over the recent shift that aimed to eliminate liberal voices from the editorial pages, which he believed contradicted the role of a traditional newspaper to foster debate and challenge readers’ assumptions.
Kessler also criticized the decision by the owner, Jeff Bezos, to halt the planned endorsement of Kamala Harris, stating that the move appeared to be a direct attempt to cater to non-liberal readers. Furthermore, he highlighted the controversy surrounding the launch of the editorial mission that focused on promoting personal liberties and free markets, which led to the resignation of multiple staff members in protest. Kessler argued that the idea of eliminating liberal voices from the editorial pages is problematic, as it undermines the value of having diverse perspectives in journalism.
In response to Kessler’s concerns, a spokesperson for The Washington Post affirmed the newspaper’s commitment to producing high-quality journalism and reaching all audiences. The Post emphasized its dedication to delivering world-class news experiences to serve all of America. Despite the challenges, Kessler remains confident that the newspaper can maintain its journalistic integrity while adapting to changing reader preferences.