- The Washington Post faces over $100 million losses, prompting major layoffs.
- Costs have risen 16% while output has fallen 42%, highlighting financial strain.
- Leadership aims to reposition the newsroom as a distinctive, must-read outlet amid changing reader habits.
The Washington Post lost more than $100 million last, following a $77 million deficit the previous year, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal.
The losses help explain the paper’s decision to cut about 30% of its workforce and underscore the scale of the reset under way at one of America’s most storied newsrooms. The figures point to a structural imbalance between costs and output that executives now say must be addressed.
At a staff town hall on Wednesday – the first major address since the layoffs – acting chief executive and publisher Jeff D’Onofrio and executive editor Matt Murray outlined what they described as years of overspending and declining productivity.
Since 2020, newsroom costs have risen 16% while the number of stories published has fallen 42%, according to figures shared internally. D’Onofrio said revenue did not keep pace with expenses between 2022 and 2025, citing the hiring of hundreds of staff during that period.
Murray, who previously led the Wall Street Journal and took over at the Post in mid-2024, sought to steady morale while recalibrating expectations.
“We don’t want or need to do every story or jump on everything that happens,” said Murray. “We’re not a paper of record; there’s no such thing anymore in today’s world.”
He argued the Post should focus on being “distinctive, urgent, and must-read” rather than trying to cover every development, as web traffic declines and reader habits shift.
Leadership remains unsettled. D’Onofrio stepped into the role earlier this month after the departure of Will Lewis. While he did not detail total losses at the meeting, he said a broader strategic plan is in development.
“Bear with me, because that will take some time and obvious care,” said D’Onofrio, adding that the company would pursue a new business model “hard” to honour its legacy.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/04/washington-post-staff-reduction-layoffs-cuts/b718ec42-01d5-11f1-ad9f-6f689ec6b060_story.html?itid=agg_ticker – This article reports that The Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff, including the sports section, several foreign bureaus, and its books coverage, highlighting the scale of the workforce reduction.
- https://apnews.com/article/923f87d4bd319c8a64b278165d0a6e27 – This piece details the layoffs at The Washington Post, including the elimination of the sports section, several foreign bureaus, and its books coverage, underscoring the extent of the cuts.
- https://apnews.com/article/c8559f5e1d9f4d73f37163e4a708f9da – This article discusses the resignation of publisher Will Lewis following significant layoffs at The Washington Post, indicating leadership changes in response to the financial challenges.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/04/washington-post-staff-reduction-layoffs-cuts/b718ec42-01d5-11f1-ad9f-6f689ec6b060_story.html?itid=agg_ticker – This report mentions that The Washington Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, called the layoffs painful but necessary to weather changes in technology and user habits, reflecting the company’s strategic response to financial losses.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/04/washington-post-staff-reduction-layoffs-cuts/b718ec42-01d5-11f1-ad9f-6f689ec6b060_story.html?itid=agg_ticker – This article notes that The Washington Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, acknowledged that the company had been losing money for too long and had not been meeting readers’ needs, leading to the decision to cut about 30% of its workforce.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/04/washington-post-staff-reduction-layoffs-cuts/b718ec42-01d5-11f1-ad9f-6f689ec6b060_story.html?itid=agg_ticker – This piece reports that The Washington Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray, stated that the company had been losing money for too long and had not been meeting readers’ needs, leading to the decision to cut about 30% of its workforce.
Register for Editor’s picks
Stay ahead of the curve with our Editor's picks newsletter – your weekly insight into the trends, challenges, and innovations driving the future of digital media.
