The Wall Street Journal has laid off more journalists despite increased paid subscribers, strong profits and a lucrative new licensing deal with OpenAI.
The International Association of Publishers’ Employees, the union representing the newsroom, staged an hour-long walkout on Thursday to protest the job cuts.
Staffers posted protest notes on the glass walls of Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker’s office, criticizing her vision for the paper.
The layoffs include at least eight reporters covering national and breaking news.
It follows previous staff cuts in Washington and abroad.
Although some positions have been added back, the union’s tally covers only those represented locally; additional layoffs have occurred elsewhere.
Tucker framed the layoffs as part of a larger reorganization.
A spokesperson said: “Our Editor-in-chief is reshaping our newsroom with an eye towards digital growth, subscription growth, and high-quality journalism.
“While change can be difficult, it is necessary to ensure we have the right structure in place to support our objectives.”
In a presentation to investors, Tucker emphasized the paper’s goal of starting, participating in, and guiding “the conversation” with “revelatory, timely, expert, and relatable” coverage principles.
The Journal, owned by Murdoch-owned News Corp, has been undergoing significant changes under Tucker’s leadership.
However, current and former employees express concerns about the lack of a clear mission.
Julie Bykowicz, a former national politics reporter laid off earlier this year, said: “At some point it’s going to be hard to keep all the people on board without a stated mission.”
“Subscriptions are up, engagement is up, the website and the app and the paper are brilliant and surprising and interesting every single day”
“It is uncomfortable to see a place go through such upheaval without a clear end in sight.”
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In a recent memo, Tucker said the paper had embraced a “reader-first strategy.”
She added there is now a reduced focus on regional and local general news.
“We have made a lot of changes in recent months, and I can say that we are very much delivering for our readers,” Tucker wrote.
“Subscriptions are up, engagement is up, the website and the app and the paper are brilliant and surprising and interesting every single day.”
Despite the layoffs, the Journal has seen financial success.
News Corp’s recent deal with OpenAI is worth up to $250 million/
It grants OpenAI access to its publications’ material for five years.
News Corp also reported slight profitability increases.
The Journal’s corporate division, Dow Jones, reached five million paying digital subscribers for the first time.
