Why did "The Washington Post" shrink?

Kathmandu, Feb 5. The prestigious American daily "The Washington Post" has made a large-scale staff reduction, removing more than 300 journalists and staff from service at once. This organization, founded in 1877, is considered one of the largest staff reductions faced in its long history.
The Washington Post is a 149-year-old American daily newspaper. This newspaper is said to be the most widely read in Washington, D.C. This newspaper has a special significance in the history of journalism.

Under "The Washington Post", the sports and books departments have been completely closed, and there have been extensive job cuts in the international and local bureaus.

According to news agencies, the Post has reported that it has eliminated about a third of its total staff. It has eliminated the sports department, various foreign bureaus and book-related coverage, making extensive cuts in the news organization.

According to a local television news channel, NBC 5 Dallas-Forth Worth, editorial director Matt Murray announced the move during an intercompany meeting, calling it a “difficult but decisive step” and necessary to cope with new technology and changing reader behavior.

NBC 5 Dallas-Forth Worth, which broadcasts local, national and international news, investigative reporting, business, weather, sports and more, said employees were notified via two types of emails — one that made it clear whether their jobs would be retained or eliminated.

Who was affected?

The sports department was completely closed. Book coverage and the “Post Reports” daily podcast were also said to be suspended or discontinued. International bureaus, especially representative offices in the Middle East and Europe, have been significantly cut.

Seoul and other major hubs have also been closed.

Ishan Tharoor, the son of senior international affairs columnist and Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has also been hit by a massive staff reduction announced by The Washington Post on Wednesday (February 4).

He has also been laid off as part of what is being billed as one of the largest newsroom cuts in media history.

Tharoor, who has been with the Washington Post for nearly 12 years, confirmed the news on social media, saying he was "deeply saddened" by the newsroom and his "incredibly wonderful colleagues." He also hinted that the decision would have profound implications for the future of institutional journalism and the newsroom. He wrote on social media "X" that losing his job was "a bad day."

The decision has been strongly criticized by the media community, including journalists and former editors. Some have described it as a "dark day" in the institution's history, while others have expressed concerns about the negative impact on press freedom and journalism in general.

The Washington Post's cuts to key sections, particularly sports, books, local and international reporting, have been widely discussed and are certain to affect the diversity and quality of news.

Why such a decision?

The Washington Post, owned by American billionaire Jeff Bezos, has cut about a third of its staff as part of a major restructuring. Analysts say that changing reader preferences in the digital age, declining online traffic and revenue, and major financial challenges have pushed the company towards structural restructuring, according to The Washington Post's own data and sources.