The Washington Post has announced significant cuts to its workforce, with plans to lay off roughly one-third of its employees across various departments. This restructuring, which was detailed by Executive Editor Matt Murray during a Zoom meeting with staff, includes a scaling back of foreign news coverage and the closure of specific sections such as the books department and a reduction in the number of journalists assigned overseas.
According to sports columnist Barry Svrluga, the sports department will also undergo changes, transitioning away from its “current form.” Murray emphasized that the layoffs are part of a strategy to position The Post more effectively for a shifting landscape of news consumption and technological evolution. He acknowledged the financial obstacles the paper has faced, noting previous cost-cutting measures and layoffs aimed at mitigating these challenges.
Traffic to The Washington Post has been on a downward trend, with statistics showing a decline from 1.36 billion unique visits in 2023 to 1.15 billion in 2025, as reported by media analytics firm Comscore. These figures underline the challenges the newspaper faces in maintaining its readership in a rapidly changing media environment.
Former executive editor Martin Baron, who led the paper from 2013 to 2021, expressed concerns about the cuts, stating they would significantly hamper the newspaper’s ability to cover major news events. Baron criticized the leadership for settling for lower ambitions rather than striving for impactful journalism, including the decision not to endorse a presidential candidate before the upcoming 2024 election, which he believes has tarnished the paper’s reputation.
Internally, the announcement has prompted reactions from affected employees. Foreign correspondent Lizzie Johnson, based in Ukraine, took to social media to express her heartbreak after losing her job, writing, “I was just laid off by The Washington Post in the middle of a warzone.” Last month, a letter was sent to Jeff Bezos, who purchased The Post in 2013, pleading for job preservation to ensure that the publication remains equipped to cover critical news stories.
As The Washington Post navigates these tumultuous changes, it highlights the current struggles faced by traditional media outlets in the digital age. Despite the challenges, the commitment to quality journalism remains a focal point for many employees, hoping for a future where their work continues to hold weight and significance in national discourse.