In 2024, the journalism industry faced an unprecedented wave of layoffs, reflecting the profound challenges and transformations within the media landscape. Economic pressures and the rapid rise of digital platforms have forced many traditional media outlets to reassess their operations and reduce their workforce. This has resulted in significant job cuts across various well-known news organizations in the US and the UK.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the layoffs that have occurred from January to December 2024. The detailed list of companies and the extent of their staff reductions, compiled by Press Gazette and Deadline, highlights the scope and impact of these job losses. Understanding the factors driving these decisions is essential for the future of journalism.
Digital Media’s Shrinking Landscape
The digital media industry experienced significant workforce reductions in early 2024, with several prominent publications implementing substantial layoffs, reports the Press Gazette. Vice, a notable digital media company, announced the elimination of several hundred positions and decided to cease publishing content on vice.com. The company’s chief executive, Bruce Dixon, explained that distributing digital content in their previous manner was no longer cost-effective. Instead, Vice planned to transition to a studio model and partner with established media companies for content distribution.
News Organizations Under Financial Pressure
Major news organizations faced considerable staff cuts during this period, reflecting ongoing financial challenges in the media sector. The Los Angeles Times announced the layoff of at least 115 people, representing more than 20% of its newsroom, with owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong citing substantial annual losses. CBS News cut around 20 staff members across Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles, part of wider cutbacks at parent company Paramount Global. Similarly, NBC News reduced its workforce by 50 to 100 employees, continuing a trend of workforce reductions from the previous year.
Technology and Entertainment Media Transformations
Technology and entertainment-focused media platforms also experienced significant restructuring and staff reductions. Engadget, the Yahoo-owned tech site, laid off 10 employees and reorganized into two teams focusing on news, features, and product reviews. BuzzFeed planned to cut 16% of its staff, achieving savings of $23 million, following the sale of its entertainment brand Complex. In the music media landscape, Conde Nast folded Pitchfork into GQ, resulting in the departure of at least 12 employees, including the editor-in-chief.
Nonprofit and Specialized Media Challenges
Nonprofit and specialized media organizations were not immune to financial pressures and workforce reductions. The Center for Public Integrity, a US nonprofit news organization, reportedly laid off 11 people, which represented more than half of its union unit. The Intercept, an investigative nonprofit co-founded by Glenn Greenwald, cut 15 staff members and implemented leadership salary reductions.
International and Diverse Media Landscape
Media layoffs were not confined to a single geographic region or type of publication. Mediahuis Ireland sought voluntary redundancies to reduce costs by €4 million (approximately $4.2 million USD) annually, potentially affecting around 50 jobs across its newspaper titles. Internationally, Univision, a Hispanic network broadcaster in the US, cut approximately 200 jobs across various business units, reflecting the evolving media landscape and economic challenges.
Digital Media Workforce Reductions
The Daily Beast implemented voluntary buyouts, affecting nearly 75% of its unionized newsroom, with 25 staffers accepting the offer. Notable departures included media reporter Justin Baragona, political investigations reporter Jose Pagliery, and senior national reporter Pilar Melendez. The outlet anticipated additional layoffs for non-unionized journalists in the future. A Daily Beast spokesperson emphasized the move as necessary for securing the publication’s financial future and rebuilding the newsroom.
Newspaper Industry Restructuring
The Evening Standard announced plans to cut approximately 150 jobs as part of a significant transformation from a daily to a weekly newspaper publication. The proposed redundancies would impact around 70 editorial roles, effectively reducing the current newsroom of 120 full-time journalists by more than half. Additional cuts were expected to affect over 40 back-office positions and approximately 45 roles in printing and distribution operations. The exact date for these changes remained unspecified at the time of reporting.
Entertainment and Technology Media Shifts
The media landscape continued to experience strategic workforce adjustments across various sectors. The Hollywood Reporter implemented a “small number” of editorial layoffs, including longtime TV editor Lesley Goldberg and senior editor of diversity and inclusion Rebecca Sun. Informa Tech made strategic decisions by closing two long-running B2B titles: Digital TV Europe and Television Business International. EO Media Group, an Oregon-based publisher, planned to cut 28 employees and reduce working hours for 19 additional staff members.
News Organizations Realigning Coverage
The Wall Street Journal likewise underwent significant restructuring, with at least 8 journalists laid off as part of a broader strategy to reshape its news coverage. The publication eliminated standalone US news coverage and closed regional bureaux on the East Coast, mid-US, and West Coast. Editor Emma Tucker explained that many US news reporters would be redistributed into other newsroom teams, including a new National Affairs team focused on major topics. Journalists protested the changes by posting notes on the editor’s office windows.
Diverse Media Platform Challenges
Various media platforms faced financial pressures and operational challenges during this period. Reader’s Digest closed its UK operations, with editor-in-chief Eva Mackevic citing unsustainable financial pressures in the magazine publishing landscape. GB News aimed to cut 40 roles through voluntary redundancies, ultimately reducing its headcount from 295 to below 250. Open Democracy implemented redundancies across its journalistic and commercial teams, with chief executive Satbir Singh attributing the cuts to industry-wide challenges including rising inflation and uncertain funding environments.
Major Network Cutbacks
CNN chief executive Mark Thompson announced the organization would cut approximately 100 jobs, which represents about 3% of its total workforce. The layoffs come more than a year and a half after the previous round of significant cuts under the previous leadership. Thompson outlined plans to launch a subscription service before the year’s end and reorganize the newsroom to integrate domestic and international operations. The cuts reflect ongoing challenges in the media industry’s evolving landscape.
Digital Media Platform Restructuring
Axios planned to lay off around 50 people, representing 10% of the company’s workforce, in response to rapid shifts in media, technology, and audience habits. Chief executive Jim VandeHei characterized the moment as the most challenging for media in recent times, highlighting the impact of artificial intelligence and changing platform dynamics. The company aims to stay ahead of technological and audience behavior transformations. VandeHei emphasized that the decision was strategic, focusing on core growth areas and not a reflection of individual employee performance.
Local News Network Challenges
Scripps announced the shutdown of its national linear TV news business, resulting in the loss of more than 200 jobs. CEO Adam Symson explained that despite growing audience numbers, revenue growth did not materialize in the challenging linear television advertising marketplace. The company will continue producing streaming and digital content, maintaining a core reporting team primarily based in Washington DC.
Public Media Funding Pressures
New York Public Radio plans to lay off approximately 30 staff members to address a projected $10 million budget deficit. President LaFontaine Oliver noted that previous cost-cutting measures, including staff reductions, hiring freezes, and eliminating senior roles, were insufficient to counteract increased expenses and revenue declines. Advertising revenues have rapidly declined, and competition for philanthropic support has intensified.
Network News Workforce Reductions
ABC News announced layoffs affecting approximately 75 employees across its national newsgathering operation and local stations. The cuts are expected to be evenly distributed, though current programming will remain uninterrupted. ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic framed the reduction as a necessary adaptation to the evolving media landscape.
Public Broadcasting Restructuring
BBC News proposed cutting 185 jobs while simultaneously creating 55 new roles, resulting in a net reduction of 130 positions. The restructuring includes plans to end several notable programs such as Hardtalk and the tech show Click, as well as the Asian Network’s dedicated news service. Domestic radio stations will begin airing World Service summaries during overnight hours, and the organization will merge multiple newsdesk divisions. An additional 25 positions in media operations supporting news, radio, and sports services are also slated for elimination.
Digital Media Platform Adjustments
Vox Media implemented layoffs across its lifestyle brands, significantly impacting Thrillist and Eater’s content teams. The company plans to operate Thrillist under Eater’s leadership and reorganize its cities coverage into a regional model. Conde Nast simultaneously cut at least 14 staff members, including several top executives and professionals in editorial, social media, and events departments. The cuts were attributed to budgetary considerations and challenging commercial circumstances.
Local and Specialized Media Cutbacks
Oahu Publications, owner of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, announced the elimination of 13 employees, including its last two staff photographers. National World planned to cut nine journalist positions in Sunderland and Manchester, while creating two new Metro editor roles. Meanwihle, the Pacific Media Workers Guild expressed concern about the impact on community journalism, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by local news organizations.
Media Technology and Entertainment Sector
Variety, an American trade magazine the covers the entertainment industry, laid off three journalists, including longtime deputy editor Meredith Woerner, continuing a pattern of reductions in entertainment media. The Associated Press prepared to cut 8% of its total staff, with less than half affecting news personnel and most reductions concentrated in the US. Dotdash Meredith announced 53 job cuts, primarily affecting print product teams, while maintaining its commitment to print publications.
Entertainment Media Sector Adjustments
Deadline reports that Creative Artists Agency (CAA) began reducing staff by an anticipated 20-30 people in early November. SK Global, the independent studio behind notable films like “Crazy Rich Asians,” implemented layoffs affecting fewer than 20 employees. The CW also experienced significant cuts, with around 35 people losing their jobs. Fox Entertainment likewise reduced its workforce by 30 employees across multiple divisions.
Print Media and Magazine Industry Transformations
In early 2024, Time magazine eliminated roughly 30 employees across editorial, technology, sales, and studio departments. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated faced a complete shutdown after Authentic Brands Group revoked its publishing license due to a missed payment. These developments highlight the ongoing struggles of print media in the digital age.
The Future of Journalism: Navigating Through Uncertainty
Looking ahead, it’s evident that the journalism industry must evolve to remain viable in this rapidly shifting landscape. The wave of layoffs in 2024 highlights the pressing need for innovative strategies to address economic challenges and harness the power of digital platforms. By understanding the factors driving these job losses, stakeholders can work towards a more resilient and sustainable future for journalism.
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