"The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge that represented a brutal blow to journalism and one of its most legendary brands. The Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, called the move painful but necessary to put the outlet on stronger footing and weather changes in technology and user habits."
"He outlined the changes in a companywide online meeting, and staff members then began getting emails with one of two subject lines - telling them their role was or was not eliminated. Rumors of layoffs had circulated for weeks, ever since word leaked that sports reporters who had expected to travel to Italy for the Winter Olympics would not be going. But when official word came down, the size and scale of the cuts were shocking, affecting virtually every department in the newsroom."
The Washington Post cut one-third of its staff, eliminating its sports desk, several foreign bureaus, and books coverage, dramatically shrinking newsroom capacity. Leadership described the reductions as painful but necessary to stabilize operations amid changing technology and audience habits. The cuts were announced in a companywide meeting and confirmed by layoff emails to staff. Rumors had circulated for weeks after Olympic travel plans were canceled. Observers called the reductions devastating to journalism and detrimental to the Post's brand; a former editor described the moves as self-inflicted brand destruction. Bezos had no immediate comment while journalists sought his intervention.
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