New York — The Washington Post, one of the world’s most influential newspapers, has laid off more than 300 employees as part of a major restructuring effort, delivering a significant blow to its newsroom and global operations. Among those affected is Ishaan Tharoor, an international affairs columnist and the son of senior Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Following the layoffs, Ishaan Tharoor shared an emotional message on social media, describing the experience as “heartbreaking.” He expressed solidarity with colleagues who were also let go, many of whom had worked together for over a decade.
“I was laid off from The Washington Post today, along with most of the international staff and many other wonderful colleagues,” Tharoor wrote. “I’m deeply saddened for my newsroom—especially the remarkable editors and reporters who helped serve the Post’s international mission. Working with them for nearly 12 years was an honor.”
“A Bad Day for International Journalism”
Tharoor, who launched the widely read WorldView column in 2017 to help readers better understand global affairs, called the layoffs “a very bad day for international journalism.” He thanked more than half a million loyal subscribers who followed his work over the years. In a separate post, he shared an image of an empty newsroom, simply calling it “a bad day.”
Major Restructuring at the Post
The layoffs were announced on Wednesday as part of what the company described as a large-scale restructuring. According to reports, the Washington Post has shut down its standalone sports desk and significantly reduced its international reporting footprint. Fox News reported that roughly one-third of the newspaper’s workforce has been impacted.
Several prominent journalists have publicly confirmed their departures.
Investigative reporter Will Hobson wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he was among those laid off after 11 years at the paper. “It was a dream run,” Hobson said, adding that his reporting had challenged powerful figures and institutions.
Global Impact on Newsrooms
The layoffs also affected senior international staff. Gerry Shih, the Washington Post’s Jerusalem bureau chief, confirmed his departure, calling his time at the newspaper deeply meaningful.
“For more than seven years, it was a privilege to report around the world for a publication I deeply believed in,” Shih wrote. He added that much of the Middle East team, as well as colleagues based in New Delhi, Beijing, Kyiv, and Latin America, were also impacted.
Industry-Wide Challenges
The cuts at the Washington Post come amid broader financial and structural challenges facing legacy media organizations, as declining digital subscriptions, advertising pressures, and changing reader habits force newsrooms to downsize and rethink coverage priorities.
For many journalists and media observers, the layoffs raise serious concerns about the future of international reporting and the shrinking space for in-depth global journalism in mainstream media.