Leonard Downie Jr. | WBUR and NPR - On Point with Tom Ashbrook

TODAY IS FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009

Friday, June 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM EDT

Leonard Downie Jr.

This week, Leonard Downie Jr., the executive editor of The Washington Post, announced he’s stepping down after 17 years at the helm.

Forty-four years total at the newspaper, where he arrived as a summer intern in 1964.

Many of the stories he’s had a hand in are defining: Watergate. Secret CIA prisons. Walter Reed. The Post has won 25 Pulitzers with Downie in charge — six this year.

But he’s not without some regrets. And he’s leaving at an uncertain time for newspapers — and for the news.

This hour, On Point: Washington Post editor Leonard Downie Jr.

- Guest host, Jane Clayson

Guest:

Leonard Downie Jr., executive editor of The Washington Post.

Tags: journalism, newspapers

Listener comments

I would like to play the Leonard Downie interview for my journalism students. Is it still available?
Posted by Rhonda Iovino, on December 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm EST

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