According to four sources who were familiar with the negotiations, analyst, columnist and television commentator Ezra Klein is planning to leave The Washington Post after his failure to acquire support for a new website venture he intended to establish within the US newspaper.
Klein is a prominent fixture of The Post via Wonkblog. The blog is a multiplatform of number-crunching and policy nuance, according to The New York Times.
Klein was said by sources to have approached the Post's publisher, Katharine Weymouth in recent weeks. After a consultation with editor Marty Baron, said one of the people, Klein was said to have submitted a plan with detailed profit projections to build a new website that will be focused on a wide range of topics and will be dedicated to explanatory journalism. One person said that the proposed site will be an affiliate of the Post, but will be functioning as a separate entity. The same person said Klein was seeking financial support that was in eight figures.
The Post owner Jeff Bezos and Weymouth were said to have not been open with the project.Those with knowledge of his plans said after his discussions with the management of the Post, Klein had sought out help from several potential investors and venture capitalists in a bid to jumpstart the website himself.
One person said that the conclusion of the discussions regarding Klein's proposal with management had led to some awkwardness in the civilized atmosphere in the Post. The New York Times said in its article that it was still possible for Klein to maintain in his position with the Post should talks about his site project were revived.
The Washington Post, Klein, and economics editor of Wonkblog Neil Irwin all declined to comment regarding the report. A person with knowledge of the arrangement said the Post owns the brand name of Wonkblog and will continue with it should Klein decide to leave the newspaper.
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