Washington Post names Cameron Barr interim editor ahead of Marty Baron exit

The Washington Post has tapped Cameron Barr, one of four managing editors, to be its acting executive editor ahead of Marty Baron’s exit on Feb. 28.

“The search for the next Executive Editor is actively underway with a broad and diverse group of exceptional journalists,” said publisher Fred Ryan who is heading the search. “It will not be complete prior to Marty’s departure at the end of this month.”

Ryan said he has asked Barr, the paper’s “longest-tenured” managing editor to lead the paper while the search for a permanent Baron replacement continues.

Barr, the managing editor in charge of news and features, is also considered to be one of the leading candidates for top job, along with national editor Steven Ginsberg. Outside candidates are also said to be on the radar.

Baron, 66, helped rejuvenate the newsroom after years of malaise before announcing his retirement last month.

Since taking over as executive editor eight years ago, before the Graham family sold the paper to billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, he has expanded the newsroom from about 580 people to over 1,000 and won 10 Pulitzer Prizes.

Baron will be given a virtual farewell at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25.