Fred Ryan, the publisher and chief executive of the Washington Post, has resigned, citing the decline in civility and toxic politics. In a memo to over 1,000 workers, Ryan expressed his distress about the absence of respectful dialogue in politics and society. Ryan’s departure came shortly after the newspaper laid off 2,500 employees due to worsening economic conditions. An all-hands meeting in December further exposed the tension among workers, with many questioning the termination of ten employees due to the end of the Sunday magazine. For now, Patty Stonesifer, the founding head of the Gates Foundation, will act as the Post’s interim CEO until a new publisher and CEO is appointed.
