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Inside Washington Publishers

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Good place to start, poor place to work - Anonymous employee Inside Washington Publishers Employee Review

3.0
Mar 6, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You'll get reporting experience that is unmatched in terms of substance and access. IWP is a well-respected inside the Beltway name -- if not with the government, then at least with lobbyists, attorneys and private sector stakeholders. It's a widely regarded stepping stone to bigger things in Washington journalism. It has a strong, stable business model. As most reviews have already stated, Alan S. has built a strong company, and in many ways it's immune to some of the economic hardships many print publications are facing today. You will learn important lessons about journalism that will stick with you for the remainder of your career. Every policy area IWP covers is interesting, and you'll learn about the tension between Congress and the executive branch in a way that's only comparable to a graduate seminar.

Cons

You're taking a huge risk by working here. If you end up at one IWP publication, your fate could end up vastly different than it would be if you'd accepted a position at another. Some editors are notoriously difficult to deal with, some play favorites, and some will berate you every day, from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, if they don't like you. You will grow here in the sense that you could learn how terribly people can treat each other in the journalism world. At times, you might be forced to consider if journalism is even a worthy career choice, considering the difficult personalities you're dealing with and modest compensation. In some sense, though, this isn't really much different than any other journalism job. This is a job you will take home with you, regardless of any best efforts to maintain a balance.

Explore other reviews about Inside Washington Publishers

5.0
Sep 16, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Lots of things to learn, helpful editors

Cons

Ability to do more in-depth reporting can be limited

2.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are opportunities to cover industry events and connect with sources. Unlike other news organizations, IWP does not experience layoffs due to its reliance on group subscriptions.

Cons

1) IWP is divided into several publications, and experiences can vary depending on which one you write for. I find that their minimal approach to journalism hinders professional development. Stories mostly rehash public reports and press releases, making the coverage feel shallow and incomplete. There are hardly any opportunities to move up within the newsroom, and their training is mediocre at best. 2) The editors I had did not appreciate any effort to do more in-depth reporting. They barely have, if any, experience doing journalism for other publications and are unable (or unwilling) to provide constructive feedback. Some reporters get very favorable treatment while others are undermined, creating a tense (sometimes hostile) environment. There’s no oversight from the publisher, and the company lacks a human resources department. 3) IWP has a lower reputation than its competitors. Press offices often prioritize requests from competing publications, and I frequently encountered reluctance when seeking interviews. Editors at other publications do not take IWP very seriously, making it difficult to move on to another journalism job. 4) Many of their websites have not been modernized in more than a decade. Several of the social media accounts are dormant, and the visual branding is inconsistent. 5) Having spent a couple of years at IWP, it’s hard to recommend their job opportunities to anyone looking to build a career in journalism. Those who end up working here should plan to move on within a year. Staying longer is not a good idea.

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