Media Layoffs 2023: National Geographic lays off staff writers, freelance writers to takeover, reports

National Geographic Layoffs 2023: National Geographic has reportedly fired its 19 editorial staff writers, as per Washington Post.

The company's future editorial work will be completed by freelance writers and the few remaining editors on staff.

“I’ve been so lucky. I got to work with w/incredible journalists and tell important, global stories. It’s been an honor," tweeted one of National Geographic’s now-former senior writers Craig Welch.

The decision was made as part of cost-cutting initiatives by the magazine's parent corporation, Disney. Though, the company declared that it would keep releasing monthly issues.

“Staffing changes will not change our ability to do this work, but rather give us more flexibility to tell different stories and meet our audiences where they are across our many platforms," CNN reported the spokesperson as saying. “Any insinuation that the recent changes will negatively impact the magazine, or the quality of our storytelling, is simply incorrect."

This after s a number of significant layoffs that rocked the media sector in recent months. In November 2022, CNN started letting go of hundreds of employees across various departments.

Additionally, Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti declared in December 2022 that nearly 200 employees, or 12% of the company's workforce, will be let go. In May 2023, even Vice Media let go of approximately a dozen workers.