The Washington Post is streamlining its workforce as part of a new strategy under CEO Will Lewis. The company confirmed that 54 people have been laid off at its publishing tech arm Arc XP and is continuing to reduce staff in its newsroom.
Lewis, who has been at the Post for a year, aims to transform the organization to meet industry needs and build a more sustainable future. However, this shift has raised concerns among newsroom staff ahead of the second Trump administration.
In recent weeks, top talent has departed from the Post, including star political reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer, who moved to The Atlantic, and cartoonist Ann Telnaes, who quit after the paper’s endorsement of Vice President Harris was spiked. Several opinion editors also stepped down last year.
The situation is becoming increasingly dire for the Post, which is now battling for relevance in its own backyard. With a shrinking paid readership and revenue, Lewis faces pressure to deliver a new vision for the future.
Despite offering voluntary buyouts to 240 staffers in late 2023, the Post’s turnover ahead of a new administration has been unprecedented. The company’s digital subscriber base also took a hit after an endorsement debacle, with 250,000 subscribers canceling their accounts about 10% of digital subscribers.
CEO Lewis is currently at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, meeting with advertising and business partners. However, he has yet to formally announce a permanent executive editor to replace Sally Buzbee, who stepped down last year. The search for a new leader has been complicated by concerns over the paper’s strategy.
The Post’s struggles come as other major news outlets are facing similar challenges in the election year. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Washington Post’s future will depend on its ability to adapt and deliver a compelling vision to its readers.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/07/washington-post-layoffs