Opinion | Tuesday was a bleak day for the media industry

The Los Angeles Times, Time magazine and National Geographic all conducted layoffs, while Condé Nast journalists struck over proposed job cuts

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Posted Wednesday, January 24, 2024 9:18 am

Angela Fu and Tom Jones | Poynter

Tuesday was a bleak day for the media industry as the Los Angeles Times, Time magazine and National Geographic all conducted layoffs, while journalists at several Condé Nast publications struck over proposed job cuts.

The Los Angeles Times shed more than 20% of its newsroom, or 115 people, as its billionaire owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, searches for a new direction following years of $30 to $40 million losses, Times senior entertainment writer Meg James reported. Tuesday’s cuts follow the departures of three top editors — including executive editor Kevin Merida — and two rounds of layoffs last year that eliminated more than 80 positions.

Among the Times desks hit hardest by the Tuesday layoffs were its Washington bureau; business; sports; breaking news; De Los, a project focused on “all things Latinidad”; “meme team” 404; video; and photography.

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Opinion | Tuesday was a bleak day for the media industry

The Los Angeles Times, Time magazine and National Geographic all conducted layoffs, while Condé Nast journalists struck over proposed job cuts

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