After years of 'democracy dies in darkness' The Washington Post now wants to host “compelling stories for all of America.”
The new mission statement was read by a number of staff members After Chief Strategy Officer Suzi Watford during meetings this week, said The New York Times.
The slogan is intended as a rallying cry for the After's journalists as the newspaper aims to reach 200 million paying users, the newspaper said Timesand will not replace the public slogan “democracy” used publicly, including on the newspaper's homepage.
The sentiment aligns with owner Jeff Bezos' desire to appeal to more of the country than just the coastal cities. But it comes as the newspaper struggles to articulate a clear vision for its future, both for the public and for its staff.
More than 400 reporters and editors signed an open letter to Bezos on Wednesday, urging him to meet with staff and outline his goals for saving the newspaper.
“We understand the need for change and we are committed to delivering the news in innovative ways,” the staffers said. “But we need a clear vision that we can believe in.”
Bezos will be in DC next week for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
The vision appears to focus on storytelling, according to a slide deck described to the Times. That includes “a relentless spirit of inquiry, backed by credible sources, to deliver impactful stories in formats the world wants.”
To do that is the After to “understand and represent interests across the country” and “provide a forum for views, expert perspectives and conversations.”
The AfterThe slogan 'democracy dies in darkness' was first ridiculed in 2017, although it has since become a mantra for the way the newspaper has produced its journalism.
Bezos coined the term after a hearing After legend Bob Woodward invokes it in a speech, former After wrote editor-in-chief Marty Baron in his 2023 memoir Clash of Power: Trump, Bezos and The Washington Post. The reach – and the criticism – thrilled Bezos, Baron wrote.
“It's a good sign if you're the subject of satire,” Bezos said weeks after the announcement, according to Baron.
