Overview

The 2022 Felicia Sonmez and Dave Weigel Washington Post Controversy refers to the ongoing controversy in early June 2022 over the Washington Post's social media policy for journalists and its purportedly toxic workplace environment. The controversy originated on June 3rd when politics reporter Dave Weigel retweeted a joke by Twitter user Cam Harless, which many deemed sexist and ableist. Fellow colleague Felicia Sonmez then criticized Weigel in a quote tweet, which Weigel then deleted. The ensuing controversy led to Weigel being suspended without pay. Jose Del Real, another Post colleague, then criticized Sonmez for publically calling out Weigel, which snowballed into an argument that involved several other colleagues in the following days. Sonmez went on to describe a hostile and unfair workplace at the Post and documented alleged harassment she suffered during the dispute. Sonmez was then fired by the Washington Post after a week of arguments online, inspiring viral debates surrounding the debacle around the web that month.

Background

Felicia Sonmez's Accusations Against Kobe Bryant (2021)

Felicia Sonmez has taken issue with the Washington Post's social media policy in the past, arguing that it has been unfairly applied, with more renowned journalists like Weigel being able to tweet whatever they wish. Sonmez received heavy criticism in 2021 for a tweet detailing rape accusations against Kobe Bryant hours after the basketball player's death.^[9] She then sued the Post for discrimination and emotional damages that same year, though the case was eventually dismissed.

During the backlash to the Sonmez tweet about Kobe Bryant, Dave Weigel notably joined other Post colleagues in defending Sonmez.^[3]

Washington Post Social Media Guidelines

Unlike its main competitor, The New York Times, the Washington Post has not ever issued an official set of social media guidelines that instruct reporters on the paper's expectations for their social media posts and the consequences in place if they fail to meet those expectations. The Times issued their guidelines in April 2022 and notably called for journalists to "meaningfully reduce"^[4] their time spent on Twitter, due to what editors perceived as a threat to the quality of reporting and the reputation of the paper.

Dave Weigel-Felicia Sonmez June 2022 Controversy

The controversy began on June 3rd, 2022, when politics reporter Dave Weigel retweeted a joke by self-described shitposter Cam Harless, which many found sexist and ableist.^[1] His colleague, Felicia Sonmez, then criticized Weigel in a June 3rd quote-tweet (see below).

Weigel later deleted the retweet, but the ensuing controversy led to his month-long suspension without pay on June 7th. Another Post college, Jose Del Real, criticized Sonmez for calling out Weigel publicly, leading to a days-long argument that involved several other colleagues at the newspaper.

In Twitter threads surrounding the controversy on June 7th, Sonmez then described a history of what she viewed as unfair and unequal treatment in the Washington Post newsroom (see below).^[2]

Over the course of the following days, Sonmez described a "hostile and unfair workplace" at the Post in numerous Twitter threads, and documented harassment she suffered during the controversy. On June 9th, 2022, Felicia Sonmez was fired by the Washington Post after a week of arguments online, according to reporting from The Daily Beast.^[8]

Online Reactions

The controversy in early June 2022 sparked widespread debates and media coverage around the web, particularly on Twitter. Some posters online took the side of Dave Weigel, defending him against the criticisms leveled by Felicia Sonmez. For example, Twitter user @samhaselby tweeted in support of Weigel on June 6th, earning over 5,000 likes in three days (seen below).^[5]

Others took the side of Sonmez, supporting her as she continued for several days to critique the Post and confront coworkers online. For example, Twitter user @katiedimartin spoke up in support of Sonmez on June 5th, earning almost 800 likes in four days.^[6]

Many commentators from outside the newspaper made fun of the controversy or pointed to it as an example of the purported insularity and toxicity of major media organizations. Twitter user and podcaster Noam Blum posted a meme mocking the controversy on June 6th, which received over 1,700 likes in its first 24 hours (seen below).^[7]

Various Reactions

External References