A columnist who has worked at The Washington Post for four decades resigned on Monday after she said the newspaper's management decided not to run her commentary critical of owner Jeff Bezos' new editorial policy.

The Washington Post has won an international reputation for its journalism. But recent changes are threatening its status as an icon.

Top Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus resigned, accusing the paper's chief executive and publisher Will Lewis of killing her column that criticized owner Jeff Bezos's mandate to shift opinion columns to focus on libertarian sentiments.