Explore Business Standard
The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands. The Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, called the move painful but necessary to put the outlet on stronger footing and weather changes in technology and user habits. "We can't be everything to everyone," Murray said in a note to staff members. He outlined the changes in a companywide online meeting, and staff members then began getting emails with one of two subject lines - telling them their role was or was not eliminated. Rumors of layoffs had circulated for weeks, ever since word leaked that sports reporters who had expected to travel to Italy for the Winter Olympics would not be going. But when official word came down, the size and scale of the cuts were shocking, affecting virtually every department in the newsroom. "It's just ...
The Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments, not just the newsroom, is being laid off. The troubled Post began implementing large-scale cutbacks on Wednesday, including eliminating its sports department and shrinking the number of journalists it stations overseas. The changes were announced in a Zoom meeting with staff on Wednesday by executive editor Matt Murray. Staff members in the newsroom were told they would be getting emails with one of two subject lines, announcing that the person's role has or hasn't been eliminated. A total number of layoffs was not announced in the call. The newspaper's books department will be closed, and its Washington-area news department and editing staff will be restructured, Murray told staff members. Its Post Reports podcast will be suspended. Murray acknowledged that the cuts will be a shock to the system but said the goal is to create a Post that can grow and thrive again. The moves were expected for several weeks, si