USA: The Washington Post lays off a third of its workforce

On 4 February, The Washington Post announced the firing of more than 300 employees, approximately one third of its staff. This followed weeks of uncertainty and rumours about widespread layoffs, during which time management remained silent. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the NewsGuild-CWA, in condemning the mass cuts and stands in solidarity with affected employees. The IFJ reiterates that in these critical times, the future of journalism and an informed society depends on journalists' ability to hold those in power to account.

Credit: Oliver Contreras / AFP.

The cuts will eliminatethe sports department and books section, have a serious impact on local and international coverage, and result in the suspension of the daily news podcast Post Reports. The Post employees who have been made redundant will continueto be on payroll until 10 April, although they will not be required to work.

This round of layoffs is the latest in a seriesof staff cuts and buyouts since the financial crisis hit the Post. By the end of 2023, the newspaper had losthalf of its audience and half a million subscribers.

On 26 February 2025, the Post owner Jeff Bezos announcedon X a major change in the Post's opinion pages, limiting contributions to the defence and support of two pillars: individual liberties and free markets. "Viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others," he said, acknowledging that the Post will no longer provide a 'broad-based opinion section' to its readers. This note led to a vast internal crisis at the newspaper and the departure of the Post's opinion editor at the time.

"In the last three years, the Post's workforce has shrunken by roughly 400 people," readsa new statement from The Washington Post Guild, which vehemently opposes any more staff reductions. "Continuing to eliminate workers only stands to weaken the newspaper, drive away readers and undercut The Post's mission: to hold power to account without fear or favor and provide critical information for communities across the region, country and world."

The NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss said: "It's disgusting that one of the richest men in the world is more invested in purchasing favor with the president of the United States than in investing in journalists who are the watchdogs of democracy. [...] Bezos' actions should alarm every American who cares about their rights in our country."

IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger added: "What is happening at The Washington Post is catastrophic. We are witnessing the dismantling of what used to be one of the most respected newspapers in the United States. Today we stand withjournalistsat the Post, following this devastating number of layoffs. There is no free press without journalists holding power to account."

Guild members at the Post are planning a rally at 12 pm on 5 February, in front of the Post's downtown Washington, D.C. offices.