And in the Times newsroom, a steady progression of well-known insiders has prevailed. Newsroom leadership is groomed internally; that practice can foster insularity and self-importance, but it also creates stability. All the gains the Post had made – growth in digital subscriptions, and even a couple of years of profitability – began to dissipate. If leadership caused this vast separation in fortunes, only enlightened and effective leadership at the Post can begin to close the gap. As someone who has revered the Washington Post for decades, I wish I could see that on the horizon.

Source: Washington Post February 12, 2026 14:40 UTC