Layoff waves don’t spare anyone, not even the best. And the proof is right here. In a startling disclosure on X, Ishaan Tharoor, son of Indian politician Shashi Tharoor, announced that he has been laid off from The Washington Post. His post comes amid one of the largest waves of job cuts in global media, with nearly one-third of the newspaper’s workforce reportedly let go. Tharoor also revealed that the Post has shuttered its sports section, closed multiple foreign bureaus, and discontinued its books coverage.
The sweeping layoffs, confirmed on Wednesday, have affected more than 300 employees, including senior international journalists, bureaus and ended books coverages. The sweeping layoffs, confirmed on Wednesday, have affected more than 300 employees, including senior international journalists, bureau chiefs and editors across departments.
Ishaan Tharoor Among Senior Journalists Laid Off
Ishaan Tharoor, senior international affairs columnist and son of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, confirmed on X that he was laid off from The Washington Post. He said it was an honour to launch the WorldView column in 2017 and thanked his roughly half-million subscribers.
“I have been laid off today from the Washington Post, along with most of the International staff and so many other wonderful colleagues,” Tharoor wrote. “I’m heartbroken for our newsroom and especially for the peerless journalists who served the Post internationally.” In a separate post, Tharoor shared a photo of an empty newsroom and described it as “a bad day.”
According to The Washington Post, the layoffs are a part of a restructuring effort to adapt to evolving technology and audience behaviors. The reductions involve removing the sports section, significantly reducing foreign bureaus, and shutting down its books coverage. Executive editor Matt Murray described the decision as painful but necessary, telling staff that the organisation cannot be everything to everyone in the current media environment.
The layoffs sparked strong reactions and anger among current and former staff. Former executive editor Martin Baron criticised the move, calling it “near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction.” Journalism academics and former employees warned that the cuts could inflict long-term damage on one of the world’s most influential newsrooms. Many staff members said the abruptness of the decision intensified the shock, with entire desks and international teams eliminated in a single day.
