- Some 60 foreign journalists plead with Jeff Bezos to protect global coverage
- Staff fear large-scale layoffs could weaken international reporting efforts
- Industry analysts warn that cuts may diminish the paper’s ability to report from conflict zones
About 60 journalists on The Washington Post’s foreign desk have appealed directly to the newspaper’s owner, Jeff Bezos, urging him to protect international reporting as management weighs a new round of cost cuts that staff fear could be extensive but remain unconfirmed.
In a letter sent on Sunday, foreign staff described their message as “a collective plea for you to preserve our newspaper’s global coverage, which we fear will be greatly weakened in coming cuts”. The appeal reflects growing concern inside the newsroom about possible layoffs that have been widely reported but not announced.
Speculation circulating among staff and industry observers suggests that between about 100 and 300 positions across the organisation could be eliminated, with the sports and foreign desks cited by multiple accounts as particularly exposed. The Post has not confirmed any figures, targets or timetable.
In recent years it has relied on buyouts and selective reductions rather than large rounds of layoffs. The paper offered buyouts in 2023 and 2025, eliminated roughly 240 positions in 2023 largely through voluntary departures and cut about 4% of staff in January 2025 mainly on the business side, according to MediaPost. It also pared some operations in 2023 and 2024 as advertising revenue fell and industry pressures intensified.
In March 2025 executive editor Matt Murray announced a newsroom reorganisation that split the national desk and created an integrated business, technology, health, science and climate unit.
Journalists have taken to social media to argue that even the prospect of reductions threatens the paper’s foreign report. Cairo bureau chief Claire Parker posted a photograph from Jenin and wrote on X that “it is these behind-the-scenes, on-the-ground moments, and the stories and color that emerge from them, that bring life and texture to the Washington Post’s coverage of the world.”
London correspondent Louisa Loveluck warned on X that “clear-eyed reporting from the ground serves the public good. To cut off that engine of brave, committed colleagues would be devastating.” Berlin bureau chief Loveday Morris said contractors who support foreign coverage “will be left in incredibly vulnerable positions if they lose their jobs.”
The Washington Post Newspaper Guild said it opposed any further reductions, even those still under discussion. “It vehemently opposes any more cuts to the staff of The Washington Post,” the union said. “Continuing to eliminate scores of workers who make this storied institution what it is only stands to weaken the newspaper.”
Some internal decisions have already signalled tighter spending. Managing editor Kimi Yoshino told sports staff that on-site coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics would not go ahead, though this was subsequently rolled back
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/01/save-post-washington-post-journalists-urge-bezos-protect-foreign-desk – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/26/washington-post-february-job-cuts-layoffs – The Guardian reports on The Washington Post’s impending job cuts, with staffers fearing significant reductions in the newsroom, particularly affecting the foreign and sports desks. Approximately 60 foreign staff members sent a letter to owner Jeff Bezos urging him to preserve the newspaper’s global coverage, expressing concerns that proposed layoffs could lead to irrelevance. The exact timing and scope of the cuts remain uncertain, with estimates ranging from 100 to 300 positions across the organization. The Post has not confirmed the layoffs but has previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including buyouts and layoffs in other departments.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/01/24/washington-post-layoffs/ – The Washington Post laid off 20 staffers in January 2023, marking the latest in a series of media and technology companies to cut jobs amid a challenging economic climate and declining advertising revenue and readership. In addition to eliminating these positions, the company decided to keep another 30 vacancies unfilled. The layoffs affected the video game and esports section, Launcher, and KidsPost, a long-running news and features section aimed at children. Executive editor Sally Buzbee stated that while such changes are not easy, evolution is necessary for the newspaper to stay competitive.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/402396/None – MediaPost reports that The Washington Post laid off 4% of its staff in January 2025, primarily affecting the business side and sparing the newsroom. The layoffs impacted 73 people in the advertising department, which is set for restructuring. The Post suffered a $77 million loss in 2023. A spokesperson stated that the changes across business functions are in service of positioning The Post for the future. This round of cuts follows the layoff of 54 employees from the Post’s Arc XP division in September 2024 and 240 individuals leaving through buyouts in 2023.
- https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/washington-post-cancels-on-site-winter-olympics-coverage-ahead-of-expected-layoffs/ – TheWrap reports that The Washington Post canceled on-site coverage plans for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games in Italy, with Managing Editor Kimi Yosino informing sports staffers that the decision came after assessing financial priorities for the year. The cancellation occurred just weeks before the Games’ launch and ahead of reported layoffs at the newspaper. The Post has not confirmed the layoffs but has previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including buyouts and layoffs in other departments. The exact timing and scope of the cuts remain uncertain.
- https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/washington-post-to-overhaul-newsroom-structure – Axios reports that The Washington Post is overhauling its newsroom structure, dividing its national desk into two sections focusing on national reporting and politics and government coverage. The politics and government desk will encompass most reporters and editors covering the political scene and the government, while the national desk will cover the United States and important issues and figures outside of Washington. The shifts follow months of high-profile staff departures and blowback to recent opinion coverage changes by owner Jeff Bezos.
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/save-post-staff-plead-bezos-174601396.html – Yahoo News reports that staffers at The Washington Post have expressed concerns over potential job cuts, with estimates ranging from 100 to 300 positions across the organization. Approximately 60 members of the foreign staff sent a letter to owner Jeff Bezos urging him to preserve the newspaper’s global coverage, expressing fears that proposed layoffs could lead to irrelevance. The exact timing and scope of the cuts remain uncertain, with the Post having previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including buyouts and layoffs in other departments.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article reports on a recent letter sent by Washington Post foreign correspondents to owner Jeff Bezos, urging him to preserve the newspaper’s global coverage amid anticipated layoffs. The letter was first reported by The New York Times on January 25, 2026, and has since been covered by multiple reputable sources, including The Guardian and AL-Monitor. ([al-monitor.com](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/01/save-post-washington-post-journalists-urge-bezos-protect-foreign-desk?utm_source=openai)) The article appears to be based on original reporting, with no evidence of recycled content. However, the reliance on a single source for the letter’s content raises concerns about source independence.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from the letter sent by the foreign correspondents to Jeff Bezos. These quotes are consistent with those reported by other reputable sources, such as The Guardian and AL-Monitor. ([al-monitor.com](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/01/save-post-washington-post-journalists-urge-bezos-protect-foreign-desk?utm_source=openai)) However, the absence of direct access to the full text of the letter limits the ability to independently verify the quotes, raising concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article is published on AL-Monitor, an independent news source focusing on the Middle East. While AL-Monitor is generally considered reputable, it is a niche publication with a specific regional focus. The article cites The New York Times, The Guardian, and other reputable outlets, which adds credibility. However, the reliance on a single source for the letter’s content and the lack of direct access to the full text of the letter raise concerns about source independence and verification.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article reports on a letter from Washington Post foreign correspondents to owner Jeff Bezos, urging him to preserve the newspaper’s global coverage amid anticipated layoffs. This aligns with recent reports of potential layoffs at The Washington Post, including coverage by The Guardian. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/p/x48gah?utm_source=openai)) The concerns raised by the correspondents about the impact of layoffs on international reporting are plausible and consistent with industry trends. However, the lack of direct access to the full text of the letter limits the ability to fully assess the plausibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on a letter from Washington Post foreign correspondents urging owner Jeff Bezos to preserve the newspaper’s global coverage amid anticipated layoffs. While the content aligns with recent reports and is plausible, the reliance on a single source for the letter’s content and the lack of direct access to the full text of the letter raise concerns about source independence and verification. Therefore, the overall assessment is a FAIL with MEDIUM confidence.
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