Media Reports of significant cutbacks at the "Washington Post"
According to media reports, a large part of the workforce at the Washington Post will have to go. However, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos wants to retain ownership of the renowned US newspaper, according to editor-in-chief Matt Murray.
05.02.2026, 11:36
SDA
It was announced on Wednesday that the almost 150-year-old traditional newspaper is introducing cost-cutting measures due to severe economic losses. According to media reports, around a third of the workforce will be made redundant, including around 300 journalists.
According to an internal memo cited by the media, the sports desk is to be almost completely dissolved, the literature department closed, foreign reporting greatly reduced and the daily podcast "Post Reports" discontinued. No official announcement was initially available.
Doubts among employees
"From my perspective, I can say that Jeff (Bezos) fully supports us in getting the house in order and positioning it for growth," Murray told CNN. "He wants the Post to be a bigger, more relevant and thriving institution."
The newspaper's employee representatives, on the other hand, reportedly issued a statement questioning whether Bezos, 62, is still willing to invest in the mission that has characterized the paper as an independent medium for generations. Meanwhile, the workforce is organizing under the hashtag #SaveThePost.
The Washington Post has been owned by billionaire Bezos since 2013. There has been repeated criticism of his role at the newspaper recently, with respected journalists leaving the paper.
For example, Bezos made headlines when he decided against publishing an already written election endorsement for Donald Trump's opponent Kamala Harris ahead of the US election in November 2024. Election endorsements like this are common among US media.
"Post" reporters uncovered Watergate scandal
According to media reports, the move cost the newspaper tens of thousands of subscribers. "Bezos is not trying to save the Washington Post. He's trying to survive Donald Trump," wrote former Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler in a recent column.
The Washington Post has made history more than once. Its finest hour came in the early 1970s, when reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward uncovered the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon.
