In a rapid shift that stunned the journalism world, The Washington Post, steered by its billionaire owner Jeff Bezos, has faced a massive overhaul, drastically altering its journalistic landscape.
Earlier this year, the Post undertook significant layoffs, trimming its workforce by 300 of its 800 journalists on February 4, 2026. This reduction affected various departments, including international, local, sports coverage, and even saw the elimination of its photo department. The newspaper also decided to scrap its stand-alone book review section, leading to a substantial cutback in its content offerings. These changes haven’t come in isolation but are the result of several controversial decisions made by Bezos, including retracting the Post’s endorsement of Kamala Harris before the 2024 presidential election and shifting editorial focus towards “personal liberties and free markets,” as announced on his social media.
The roots of this decline date back to Donald Trump’s presidency, a period that saw the Post thriving under the slogan “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” However, unlike its competitor, The New York Times, which diversified its offerings with innovative products like games and apps, the Post has struggled to maintain its momentum.
As a journalism professor and author, who chronicled Bezos’ earlier successes with the Post, I’ve observed with dismay as the institution crumbles. While The New York Times’ model may not be wholly replicable, Bezos could draw lessons from other regional papers that have successfully navigated the turbulent media landscape.
Lessons from Regional Success
Unlike the Post, which is seen as prioritizing revenue over local service, several regional papers remain deeply connected to their communities. These papers have various ownership models that focus on serving their regions.
For instance, The Boston Globe and The Minnesota Star Tribune have been acquired by sports team owners, while The Seattle Times remains family-owned. The Philadelphia Inquirer was transitioned to a nonprofit, and The Salt Lake Tribune was converted into a pure nonprofit by its billionaire owner.
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Strategies for Survival
The success of these publications can be attributed to several strategies. Both The Boston Globe and The Minnesota Star Tribune have expanded their coverage to neighboring areas, with the Globe entering Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The Globe has also shown a willingness to experiment, as seen with its launch of Crux and the successful health-focused site Stat.
The Star Tribune has taken innovative steps by introducing a paywall-free breaking-news blog and offering gift links and family subscriptions. This approach is mirrored by The Seattle Times, which pioneered the nonprofit arm model, enhancing community-focused journalism.
Exploring Nonprofit Models
Nonprofit ownership has also proven effective. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s transformation into a public benefit corporation under the Lenfest Institute has enabled it to thrive. Similarly, The Salt Lake Tribune’s shift to a nonprofit model has allowed it to expand and eliminate its paywall, following the public radio funding model.
Despite the broader decline in the newspaper industry, with over 3,500 closures in two decades, certain papers are finding innovative paths forward. Bezos, once a champion of the Post, might consider these models to reinvigorate the newspaper he once helped flourish.
