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All About the Story

Leonard Downie

In 1964, at age 22, Len Downie joined the Washington Post as an intern. He became a pioneering investigative reporter, news editor, foreign correspondent, and managing editor, before succeeding the legendary Ben Bradlee as executive editor.

As Downie writes, he was quite different from Bradlee. But he played an equally important role over more than four decades in making The Post one of the world's leading news organizations. Among the stories he was involved with were the historic Watergate story, the investigation and impeachment of President Bill Clinton, the Unabomber (who threatened to kill more people if The Post did not publish his 'manifesto'); the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and many national security stories published in defiance of government wishes. He managed The Post's ascendency to the pinnacle of influence, circulation and profitability, before being confronted by the digital transformation of the news media that threatened to put the Post out of business.

In a dangerous age of fake news and media manipulation, Downie's judgment, fairness, and commitment to truth will inspire anyone who wants to know how journalism at its best, works.

Leonard Downie

Leonard Downie Jr. was the Executive Editor of the Washington Post . Downie has spent his entire journalistic career at the paper where he started as a summer intern reporter in 1965. He soon became a prize-winning investigative reporter on the paper's Metro desk. In 1974 when he was Assistant Managing Editor for Metropolitan News Downie oversaw the paper's Watergate coverage. Downie has also served as the Post 's London correspondent before becoming National Editor in 1982. In 1984 he was named Managing Editor of the Washington Post a position he held until 1991 when he was named Executive Editor. Under Downie's leadership the paper won 25 Pulitzer Prizes including three Pulitzer gold medals for public service.