Journalists collaborating in a busy newsroom as Erik Wemple joins The New York Times.
Erik Wemple, a seasoned journalist with significant experience in political journalism, will be joining The New York Times to cover media news starting in September. His transition follows a buyout from his previous employer, the Washington Post, amidst a series of high-profile departures. Wemple’s background includes impactful investigative work and a strong academic foundation, positioning him to make noteworthy contributions to the media news landscape at the Times.
Erik Wemple, a veteran journalist with over 14 years at a leading news organization, has been hired by The New York Times to cover media news. Wemple’s new role will begin in September, transitioning him from Washington, where he has established a significant presence in political journalism.
Wemple’s departure from his previous position follows his acceptance of a buyout offer. The decision comes amidst a wave of high-profile exits from his former employer, with several notable figures also leaving the organization in recent months.
Before his tenure at the Washington Post, Wemple was known for writing the Loose Lips column for Washington City Paper. His experience also includes coverage of the media landscape for Inside.com, which is no longer in operation. He served as editor of City Paper for eight years and briefly held the position of editor at TBD.com for one year. Wemple holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and a master’s degree from Georgetown University, providing him with a strong educational foundation to support his journalistic endeavors.
Throughout his career, Wemple gained recognition for his investigative work. A notable achievement includes his efforts in exposing falsehoods in a 2020 feature in Atlantic magazine. As he transitions to The New York Times, Wemple is expected to leverage his extensive experience covering Washington politics, contributing significantly to the newspaper’s media reporting.
Wemple’s move is part of a broader trend of departures at the Washington Post. He is not alone in leaving; the organization has seen several prominent staff members exit in recent months. Other notable departures include deputy editors Mike Semel, Ann Gerhart, and Monica Norton, as well as deputy opinion editor Stephen Stromberg and sports columnist Sally Jenkins, with Jenkins reportedly making her way to The Athletic, which is affiliated with The New York Times.
The situation at the Washington Post illustrates a significant shift within the organization, with both leadership changes and changes in editorial direction. Recent high-profile exits have included fact checker Glenn Kessler, columnists Catherine Rampell and Jonathan Capehart, and video producer Dave Jorgenson. This wave of departures has created a sense of upheaval, particularly as opinion editor David Shipley resigned shortly after the announcement of a new direction for the paper.
These changes come under the leadership of CEO Will Lewis, who has encouraged staff members who may disagree with the organization’s new direction to consider leaving. This approach reflects an ongoing restructuring at the Washington Post aimed at aligning the editorial stance with the political preferences of owner Jeff Bezos.
Recent events reflect a continuation of this pattern, with columnist Ruth Marcus also leaving after a 40-year tenure, following a controversial incident involving one of her columns being suppressed. The losses of such experienced writers signal larger questions about the future direction and editorial integrity of the organization.
As Wemple embarks on this new chapter in his career at The New York Times, the media landscape remains in flux, marked by shifts in personnel that may redefine coverage and influence in American journalism. With Wemple’s experience and journalistic skills, his contribution is anticipated to be significant in the realm of media news reporting.
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