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Sara Fischer: Washington Post to overhaul newsroom structure

Thought Leader: Sara Fischer
March 10, 2025
Source: Axios

The Washington Post is making major changes to its newsroom that are meant to broaden the outlet’s coverage and reach a wider audience, according to a staff memo from executive editor Matt Murray obtained by Axios.

Why it matters:

The shifts follow months of high-profile staff departures and blowback to recent opinion coverage changes by owner Jeff Bezos.

Zoom in:

As part of the newsroom overhaul, the Post will divide its national desk into two sections that focus on national reporting, and politics and government coverage, respectively.

Between the lines:

Broadening coverage will help the Post become less dependent on political news, which can be cyclical in nature, Murray told Axios in an interview after announcing the changes.

Zoom out:

The shifts are also meant to prioritize digital products and reader engagement, Murray said.

State of play:

In a town hall meeting discussing the changes, deputy managing editor Mark Smith — who has been tasked by Murray with leading newsroom transformation — announced 10 new principles that will guide the Post’s journalism and culture moving forward.

The big picture:

The newsroom “reinvention,” as Murray describes it, reflects a broader scramble at the Post to transform itself following years of profit losses and shrinking readership.

What to watch:

Murray acknowledged that the new changes may not align with everyone at the company.

This exclusive insight comes from thought leader Sara Fischer.

Sara Fischer is an exceptional keynote speaker on journalism, media trends, and the evolving digital landscape, thanks to her deep expertise in analyzing industry shifts and audience engagement strategies. Her keen understanding of how major news organizations—like The Washington Post—are adapting to technological advancements and changing reader habits makes her insights invaluable for media professionals and business leaders alike. With a pulse on newsroom transformations, digital innovation, and media business models, Fischer delivers compelling, data-driven discussions that help organizations stay ahead in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing information economy.

Fischer’s speaking engagements are managed exclusively by WWSG. Contact us to host her for your next event.

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