Jeff Bezos Visits The Washington Post as Layoffs Loom

“Jeff is here for in-person meetings with Fred, Sally and staff across the newsroom,” a Post spokeswoman said in an email.

The Post rapidly expanded after Mr. Bezos, one of the world’s richest people, bought the company for $250 million, substantially growing its newsroom and increasing its coverage areas. But the business has stalled in the past year.

Last month, Mr. Ryan told staff members in a tense meeting that there would be layoffs. A Post spokeswoman said in a statement at the time that the job cuts were intended to “put our business in the best position for future growth.” The layoffs, which Mr. Ryan said would be a single-digit percentage of staff, are expected to take place early this year.

During the meeting on Thursday, Mr. Bezos’ retinue stood outside the room, earpieces clearly visible. As he left, a Post employee wearing a red shirt emblazoned with the insignia of The Post’s guild stopped him and asked why the company was laying people off without offering buyouts first, according to the three people with knowledge of the meeting. Mr. Bezos responded that he was at The Post to listen, not answer questions, and underscored his commitment to The Post’s journalism.

The Post was on track to end 2022 in the red after years of profitability, The New York Times reported in August. The Post has struggled to grow its subscription business, with fewer paying subscribers last year than the three million it had in 2020, a presidential election year.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/19/business/media/jeff-bezos-washington-post.html