Revamping The Washington Post: A New Vision for Opinions

The Washington Post is undergoing a significant transformation, led by its new opinion editor, Adam O'Neal. At just 33 years old, O'Neal is tasked with reshaping the editorial pages of this major newspaper. O'Neal's journey to this role is quite remarkable. He joined The Post in July, bringing with him a wealth of experience from The Economist and The Wall Street Journal. What drew him to The Post was its new mission statement, which emphasizes personal liberties and free markets. This shift in direction has not been without controversy. The new editorial stance has led to resignations and subscription cancellations, particularly from liberal readers. However, O'Neal sees this as an opportunity to expand the paper's reach and rebuild trust with a broader audience. The current state of the editorial pages is a "work in progress, " according to O'Neal. He aims to redefine the voice of the editorial board, ensuring it remains non-partisan and open to robust debate. O'Neal is also focused on diversifying the team. He wants to hire people from various backgrounds, not just the usual suspects from Ivy League schools or esteemed economic institutions. The last few years at The Post have been challenging, with financial losses, talent exodus, and low morale. Despite this, O'Neal remains optimistic. He praises the paper's CEO, Will Lewis, calling him a fantastic journalist and mentor. O'Neal is also working on bringing the opinion section into the 21st century. He acknowledges that the section has fallen behind in the ever-evolving media landscape and is committed to catching up. Despite the challenges, O'Neal is excited about his role. He sees it as the challenge of his career and is determined to elevate the people around him.