As uncertainty looms over the Washington Post, employees are increasingly anxious about possible layoffs that could significantly alter the publication. Despite hopes that owner Jeff Bezos might intervene, he has remained silent on the matter, leaving staff members feeling unsettled.
Employees have sent three letters to Bezos, expressing deep concern over the future of key aspects of the publication’s coverage. The first letter, signed by around 60 staff members, called on Bezos to maintain the company’s international news operations, which are rumored to be vulnerable to budget cuts. A subsequent letter urged Bezos to preserve the local news reporting which has already been halved over the past five years. Staff members emphasized the crucial role local journalism plays for the DC community, stating, “The effect on this region and the people in it will be immeasurable” if those positions are eliminated.
More recently, White House reporters joined the chorus of concerns, asking Bezos to prioritize coverage areas that are vital to the paper’s readership. In addition, employees have leveraged social media platforms, urging the public to “#savethepost.”
While Will Lewis, the Post’s chief executive, has been looped into some of the communications, the employees hope that Bezos himself may be more receptive to their concerns. One staff member noted, “As the Post’s owner, Bezos is ultimately making the call on these cuts,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation for the newsroom.
The mood at the Post is reportedly somber, with many employees bracing for imminent announcements regarding layoffs. A rally is scheduled outside the Post’s headquarters to voice opposition to potential job cuts. The union representing the majority of employees at the Post has also spoken out against Bezos through social media, criticizing his handling of the publication and his lack of response to significant issues impacting journalism.
Adding to the tension, employees noted that Bezos has not publicly addressed the recent raid on a journalist’s home, an act that has raised alarm among press freedom advocates. Cameron Barr, a former managing editor at the Post, voiced his disappointment in Bezos’s silence, suggesting that the absence of a response could signal a troubling trend.
Despite the bleak atmosphere, some former staff members express cautious optimism regarding the push for Bezos to acknowledge and address the impending cuts. Glenn Kessler, who left the Post last year, reflected positively on employee efforts to reach out to Bezos, while also critiquing his oversight of the Post since acquiring it in 2013.
Indeed, Bezos’s engagement with the publication appears to have waned over the years. Chris Cillizza, a political journalist with ties to the Post, recalled the initial excitement when Bezos took ownership, but noted that many were slow to recognize changes in his level of involvement.
While Bezos has shied away from public comment regarding the Post’s uncertain future, he was present at an event for Blue Origin, his spaceflight company, where he interacted with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has previously criticized the Post as “fake news.” This juxtaposition underscores the growing divide between Bezos’s interests and the journalists who depend on his support to maintain their vital work.
The Washington Post remains a significant player in journalism, and the hope of its employees is that the vitality of its reporting will be preserved amid looming cuts. As they rally for their roles and the publication’s mission, they aim to convey the irreplaceable value of robust journalism in serving the public interest.