The Washington Post Names Andrew Alexander Ombudsman

The Washington Post today announced that Andrew Alexander, currently the Washington bureau chief for Cox Newspapers, will become the newspaper's ombudsman. His two-year term will begin Feb. 2.

Alexander, 60, joined the Cox Washington bureau as a reporter in 1976 and became its foreign editor (1989), deputy bureau chief (1994) and bureau chief (1997). Earlier he was a reporter for the Melbourne Herald in Australia and the Dayton Journal Herald in Ohio. He grew up in Urbana, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio University with a degree in journalism.

In Washington, Alexander has been a leader in promoting open government. He is a member of the board of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and a former chairman and current co-chairman of the organization’s Freedom of Information Committee. He also serves on the board of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

"Andy brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the news industry,” said Katharine Weymouth, Publisher of The Washington Post. "We are pleased to have such a distinguished journalist watch over The Post’s journalistic integrity and act as advocate for our readers.”

As ombudsman, Alexander will be the readers' representative and an internal critic of Washington Post journalism, whether it appears in print or online. He will write a column and engage in online forums. His contract guarantees him editorial independence.

About The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)

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The Company also owns Kaplan, Inc., a leading global provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, serving over one million students with operations in more than 30 countries. Its international programs include higher education, test preparation, language instruction and professional training.

The Company has ownership interests in the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service and Bowater Mersey Paper Company.