Two people have withdrawn their names to serve as executive editor of the Washington Post, Axios said.
Cliff Levy, an editor at the New York Times and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, and Anne Korblut, a former Post editor who now works at Meta's VP of global product content operations, took their names out of the running over disagreements with the newspaper's strategy, Axios reported.
Publisher and CEO Will Lewis hasn't impressed candidates with his vision for the Post's future, amid a decline in paid subscribers and revenue, Axios said. The Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
Candidates were asked to write six-page memos about their journalistic vision for the paper, using AI, and how to grow the Post's audience, according to Axios.
Matea Gold, a managing editor popular with reporters who was seen as a contender for the job, recently announced she was leaving for the New York Times. Kevin Merida, former editor of the LA Times and Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, also turned down the role, Axios said.
Axios reported that many reporters are looking to leave, including going to The Atlantic or New York Times. Lewis is said to be unpopular in the newsroom, especially after scaling back a ceremony honoring employees with 10+ years of service, sources told Axios.
Matt Murray, the interim executive editor, remains a candidate for the position, Axios reported.