Washington Post publisher Fred Ryan is stepping down

Fred Ryan, the publisher and chief executive of The Washington Post, told employees Monday he was stepping down, ending his nearly decade-long career as the newspaper’s chief executive. He was appointed by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Post.

In a message to staff, Mr. Ryan that his next job would be to direct the Center on Public Civility, a new project of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute supported by Mr. Bezos.

“Today, the decline of civility has become a toxic and corrosive force that threatens our social interactions and weakens the very foundations of our democracy,” 68-year-old Ryan wrote in the memo. “I feel a strong sense of urgency on this issue.”

Mr. Bezos thanked Mr. Ryan for his services in a separate message to employees, saying he led the newspaper through a period of “innovation, journalistic excellence and growth.” He will remain publisher for the next two months.

Patty Stonesifer, the former CEO of Martha’s Table, a provider of food and clothing for low-income people, will become The Post’s interim CEO, said Mr. Bezos.

“You’ll soon see for yourself why I admire her,” he said. “Her skills, judgment and character all stand out. She also understands the importance of our mission and has deep respect for the work we do here.”

This is an evolving story. Check back later for updates.