Three High-Profile Reporters Leave Politico In Shake Up Following Editorial Overhaul

Three top journalists will leave Politico this month as the outlet’s new leadership struggles to balance editorial overhaul with retaining its journalistic talent, essential to its long-time influence as a key player in the Beltway media ecosystem.

Semafor reported Wednesday that journalist Alex Ward, who co-authored Politico’s major scoop on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, is heading to The Wall Street Journal along with Pentagon reporter Lara Seligman.

Veteran columnist Jack Shafer also confirmed his exit to Semafor, citing a shift in the company’s focus away from media coverage.

He told the outlet: “I had a really good run with a long leash at Politico and appreciate all the great people I worked with. The job has changed in recent months, and I think it’s best for me to hit the ground dancing someplace else where media criticism is important to the mix.”

Semafor’s media editor Max Tani puts the exodus down to continuing “internal drama” between Politico’s new management and its journalists, particularly over editorial direction and leadership style. An editorial revamp is being led by top editor John Harris and CEO Goli Sheikholeslami, who felt that Politico has “lost its edge” and “created complacent commodity news.”

Tani wrote on Wednesday: “While it has been less than a year since the new leadership team took the reins, the new regime’s tough-love approach in the newsroom has alienated well-known employees who have left for competitors, effectively working against its plan.”

Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com