WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Washington Post announced widespread layoffs on Wednesday morning as the famed media company aims to gut different sections of its newsroom.
Ahead of the layoffs announcement, Executive Editor Matt Murray and human resources chief Wayne Connell sent an email to employees inviting them to “stay home” and attend a Zoom webinar at 8:30 a.m. EST.
“We will be announcing significant actions across the company today,” both wrote.
The “significant actions” reportedly include eliminating the Sports section, closing the Books section and cancelling the Post Reports podcast, Murray told employees, a source reported to The Associated Press. International coverage is also expected to be reduced, but some bureaus will remain open.
The newspaper also plans a “restructuring” of the Post’s Metro desk. The Metro desk covers Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Staff members were told they would receive emails with one of two subject lines, announcing whether the person’s role had been eliminated. The total number of layoffs was not announced in the call.
The layoffs have been expected for weeks after leadership noted in an internal memo that they no longer planned to send reporters to the Winter Olympics in February. However, the Post did reverse that decision and is sending a limited staff.
Many reporters have been vocal on social media and in the form of letters, urging owner Jeff Bezos not to make cuts.
In February 2025, Bezos said he told employees the newspaper’s opinions section will express support for “personal liberties” and “free markets.”
“We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others,” Bezos noted.
In May 2025, The Washington Post announced it would offer voluntary buyouts to employees with over 10 years at the publication.
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In 2024, it was reported that the newspaper lost around $100 million as top journalists defected to the publication’s competitors.
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