National Geographic fires most of its editors

High-level cuts are unusual for any long-standing magazine and unprecedented for National Geographic, which has enjoyed steady editorial leadership since its founding by America's National Geographic Society in 1888.

This famous magazine cover will no longer be on American newsstands starting next year. Photo: NG

However, according to the Washington Post, on June 29, National Geographic fired its last 19 editors, including 6 senior editors. Some National Geographic staff confirmed the news on Twitter.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky. I’ve worked with incredible journalists and told important, global stories. It’s been an honor,” Craig Welch, a former National Geographic contributor, wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, journalist Doug Main - Editor-in-Chief of this magazine also confirmed on Twitter: "National Geographic is laying off writers, including me."

According to the Washington Post, National Geographic's future editorial work will be done by freelance writers and a few remaining staff editors.

The unprecedented layoffs are part of cost-cutting measures ordered by the publication’s parent company, Walt Disney. And more sadly, from next year, the magazine, whose yellow border has become a trademark for countless readers who love nature and geography, will no longer be available on newsstands in the United States.

National Geographic and its Washington-based news site have been owned by Walt Disney since 2019, after the media and entertainment giant acquired a majority stake in the publication as part of its $71 billion purchase of 21st Century Fox.

The sad news about National Geographic comes amid a series of major layoffs that have rocked the media industry in recent months. In late November, CNN began laying off hundreds of employees across various parts of the news giant.

In December 2022, Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti announced that 12% of the digital media company's staff, nearly 200 people, would be laid off; and the once-popular Buzzfeed News site would be shut down. The announcement sent the once-popular company's stock to an all-time low of $1.06 a share.

Not long after, the prestigious media conglomerate Vice Media, which operates online and broadcast platforms, laid off dozens of employees in May of this year and also filed for bankruptcy.

Quang Anh (according to WP, Guardian)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tap-chi-national-geographic-sa-thai-gan-het-bien-tap-vien-post254252.html