Jennifer Rubin leaves Washington Post to challenge authoritarianism
- Jennifer Rubin has resigned from the Washington Post amid concerns about its integrity and direction.
- She will launch a new publication called The Contrarian with Norm Eisen, focusing on independent, pro-democracy journalism.
- Rubin's exit reflects broader discontent within the Post, as many high-profile staff have departed in recent months.
In the United States, prominent columnist Jennifer Rubin has resigned from the Washington Post, citing a decline in the integrity and independence of the publication. Rubin's departure adds to a series of high-profile exits at the newspaper, which has faced internal turmoil, including layoffs and discontent amongst staff regarding its direction. In particular, Rubin criticized the Post's billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos, for compromising the values of journalism, claiming that under his leadership, the Post failed to maintain a robust and aggressive free press at a critical time for American democracy. Rubin is set to create a new media outlet called The Contrarian, partnering with former Obama administration official Norm Eisen. The name and tagline of the new venture, “Not owned by anybody,” directly reference Bezos and suggest a commitment to independent journalism free from corporate influence. The new publication aims to offer diverse perspectives and voices while focusing on pro-democracy content rather than purely anti-Trump rhetoric, seeking to provide a platform for those who have engaged in defending democracy and debunking election falsehoods. Rubin's criticisms of the Post extend to specific incidents she found troubling, including the decision not to publish a satirical cartoon depicting Bezos in a compromising position regarding Trump. This decision, according to Rubin, exemplified a larger trend at the Post where corporate interests are said to have interfered with journalistic integrity. Over the last few months, dissatisfaction within the organization has resulted in numerous resignations, highlighting the precarious state of the newsroom and raising concerns about its future role in shaping public discourse. As Rubin transitions to The Contrarian, she and Eisen will aim to address some of the challenges digital media startups face, such as marketing and distribution. The new outlet is set to launch with around two dozen contributors, many coming from backgrounds that challenged Trump’s narratives during and after the 2020 election. This venture signifies a potential shift in the ways media can operate outside of traditional corporate frameworks, focusing on integrity, courage, and independence in journalism, while responding to a perceived authoritarian threat to democracy.