Restructuring in the AI Era: Washington Post Cuts One-Third of Its Workforce

"Executive Editor Matt Murray informed staff during an 8:30 a.m. EST Zoom call that the company would move forward with what leadership described as a "significant restructuring." Employees were told to stay home for the day, and shortly after the meeting, layoff notices began landing in inboxes. The cuts affect roughly one-third of the Post's overall workforce, including more than 300 journalists, per multiple reports."

"On the staff call, Murray said, "For too long, we've operated with a structure that's too rooted in the days when we were a quasi-monopoly local newspaper." The sports department will close "in its current form," book coverage is ending, and international reporting will be scaled back, though some overseas bureaus will remain open. The metro desk, which covers Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, is also being sharply reduced."

"The AI strategy behind the restructuring The layoffs come as Will Lewis, the Post's publisher and CEO, continues to push a new strategy centered on subscriptions, events, and heavier use of AI. According to reports, Lewis, who joined the Post in early 2024, has emphasized subscriptions, AI tools, and events as part of a plan to return the paper to profitability. The Post has already experimented with AI-powered comments, aggregation, and other newsroom too"

The Washington Post has begun sweeping layoffs affecting roughly one-third of its workforce, including more than 300 journalists. Leadership described the move as a significant restructuring and instructed employees to stay home as notices were sent. Cuts spanned all departments, with politics and government reporting remaining the largest desks while sports will close in its current form and book coverage will end. International reporting will be scaled back though some overseas bureaus will remain, and the metro desk for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will be sharply reduced. Publisher Will Lewis is prioritizing subscriptions, events, and increased AI use to pursue profitability.

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