Despite a surge in paid subscribers, strong profits at its parent company, and a new nine-figure licensing deal with OpenAI, The Wall Street Journal has laid off even more journalists.
The union representing the newsroom, the International Association of Publishers’ Employees, staged an hour-long walkout to object to the job cuts.
The layoffs affected at least eight reporters who covered national and breaking news. Interestingly, the paper has added some positions back in recent months, but the union tabulation only covers those represented by the local; others have been laid off as well.
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| Emma Tucker |
In a note to staff, Tucker described the moves as part of a larger reorganization.
“Our Editor-in-chief is reshaping our newsroom with an eye towards digital growth, subscription growth and high-quality journalism,” a spokesperson said in a written statement. “While we recognize change can be difficult, it is necessary to ensure we have the right structure in place to support our objectives.”
In a presentation to investors, Tucker emphasized that the paper’s reporting should start, be part of, and guide “the conversation,” making it “feel real.” However, some current and former Journal employees find her approach vague and seek a clearer mission for the paper’s transformation. Julie Bykowicz, who was laid off from a job covering national politics, expressed discomfort with the upheaval without a clear end in sight1.
The Wall Street Journal, owned by News Corp (controlled by the Murdoch family, which also owns Fox News), faces challenges as it navigates changes in the media landscape.
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