After a difficult year for left-wing media, 2025 is picking up where 2024 left off. Vox, The Washington Post, and Huffington Post all announced mass layoffs at the beginning of the year.
WaPo’s weeding began after former CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy reported Sunday that the paper was planning to cut “dozens” of jobs. new york times Confirmed News on Tuesday reported that WaPo has begun a series of layoffs affecting 4% of its workforce, primarily in business units.
The layoffs will not affect the newsroom, the NYT reported. The newsroom suffered a carnage in the new year after paper cuts in 2023 and elections to fill 50 positions in January. excluded An additional 240 jobs will be added in October 2023.
In an internal memo obtained by the NYT following the WaPo news, HuffPo editor-in-chief Daniel C. Belton told staff he would lay off 30 editorial positions.
“At HuffPost, we are undergoing significant layoffs due to ongoing and growing challenges to our business. Unfortunately, we anticipate more than 30 editorial positions will be cut in the coming weeks.” Belton wrote.
News: HuffPost is cutting 30 positions. Note from Editor-in-Chief Daniel C. Belton: pic.twitter.com/RD5BJGQKc3
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) January 7, 2025
A few days later, Belton himself informed staff of his intention to leave, according to another internal memo obtained by Semaphore’s Max Tani.
“I am also writing this letter with the intention of leaving HuffPost. My last day will be Friday, January 31st. This decision was difficult, but clear to me. “The decision to reduce staff was not taken lightly, and while I wanted to retain some roles, I was prepared to have my role eliminated,” she wrote.
“I cannot, in good faith, ask others to make this difficult decision without doing the same.”
Belton’s memo to staff: “While I wanted to keep some roles, I was prepared to have my role eliminated.” pic.twitter.com/6eE2s2Hcxd
— Maxwelltani (@maxwelltani) January 9, 2025
“I am extremely proud of the relaunch of HuffPost Voices and the many diverse stories we have covered during my tenure. We cover politics, world events, pop culture, and lifestyle trends with passion and dedication. “HuffPost’s ability to cover diverse people is a gift to our readers around the world, and we are honored to bring a focus on diversity to our newsroom,” Belton wrote. She wrote a letter to staff saying she planned to retire at the end of January.
Vox Media (“Why does Trump hate this little fish so much?‘ also announced a series of layoffs on Thursday.
On Friday, Vox.com announced layoffs across several teams, a “difficult but necessary step as our industry evolves,” the company said in a statement obtained by Tani. Announced.
“Going forward, Vox will focus its resources where it is most competitive and distinctive, while building a more collaborative structure across all platforms (text, podcasts, video). “This will help Vox build a long-term sustainable business while preserving its core editorial sensibilities and continuing to serve the audiences who value Vox most.” It is written.
Vox Media statement regarding layoffs at Vox.com pic.twitter.com/gfY4OrhKFW
— Maxwelltani (@maxwelltani) January 9, 2025
At least one employee announced on Twitter that he was a victim of layoffs.
“I just got fired from Vox.” Along with 11 other talented and fun people,” wrote Kellen Landman, director of public health, consumer health, and health misinformation, according to the company’s bio.
“I leave with a wealth of resources and a million ideas. If you’re an editor assigning work on public health, misinformation, money or religion in medicine, we’d love to hear from you. Join us for lunch. I’m going to go get some cookies,” she concluded.
I just got fired. @voxdotcom Along with 11 other talented and fun people. I leave with a wealth of information and a million ideas.
If you’re an editor assigning work on public health, misinformation, money or religion in health, we’d love to hear from you. I’m going to eat cookies for lunch.
— Kellen Landman (@landmanspeaking) January 9, 2025
This turnover is part of a larger trend in legacy and left-wing media. WaPo in particular has been under fire for months since editor-in-chief Sally Buzbee resigned in June. When the paper’s owner, Jeff Bezos, tried to replace her with a white man, many staff members revolted, prompting Bezos to expose the paper’s recent poor performance.
WaPo lost half its subscriber base between 2020 and 2023 and has lost more than $77 million since 2023, Bezos and new CEO Will Lewis told staff.
WaPo isn’t the only news provider struggling lately. MSNBC, whose ratings plummeted 53% after the November election, has asked some of its most prominent anchors to renegotiate their contracts to reduce their pay, according to former Daily Beast editor Lachlan Cartwright. It is reported that. reported.
Hey @Eron Musk I came up with the funniest idea ever!!! https://t.co/OEwz6S5ncs
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 22, 2024
Their struggle has sparked rumors of a fire sale, with prominent Republicans like Donald Trump Jr. joking that Elon Musk should buy.
