National Geographic has laid off all 19 of its editorial staff writers in its second such cutback over the last nine months. As reported by Washington Post, the publication’s editorial work will be outsourced to freelance writers and “few editors remaining on staff”, while the magazine’s photo contracts will be curtailed.
The decision is a part of a series of cost-cutting measures by owner Walt Disney Co. The magazine’s print edition will no longer be sold at newsstands, while its small audio department will also be eliminated.
A magazine spokesperson told CNN it will continue to publish 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,” the spokesperson said. “Any insinuation that the recent changes will negatively impact the magazine, or the quality of our storytelling, is simply incorrect.”
Several staffers confirmed the layoffs on Twitter.
My new National Geographic just arrived, which includes my latest feature—my 16th, and my last as a senior writer.
— Craig Welch (@CraigAWelch) June 28, 2023
NatGeo is laying off all of its staff writers.
I’ve been so lucky. I got to work w/incredible journalists and tell important, global stories. It’s been an honor. pic.twitter.com/VOt6KydD5Z
The iconic yellow-bordered 135-year-old National Geographic print version will no longer be sold on newsstands starting next year. With under 1.8 million subscribers, it remained among the most widely read magazines in America. https://t.co/nAlINOPE8U pic.twitter.com/euN5bU5shs
— Soutik Biswas (@soutikBBC) June 29, 2023
Today is my last day at National Geographic. The magazine is parting ways with its staff writers, including me.
— Michael Greshko (@michaelgreshko) June 27, 2023
I’m so grateful for the opportunities I have had over the past 7 years. To everyone who read my stories, thank you from the bottom of my heart. On to the next! pic.twitter.com/5MgKwyQXSS
Today marks the last day for all of National Geographic's staff writers and many of their brilliant editors.
— Maya Wei-Haas, Ph.D. (@WeiPoints) June 28, 2023
I'm so proud of all the work I've done with these talented people, and know they'll all land on their feet. But it's a sad day for journalism... pic.twitter.com/vzBDJwDJxM
The decline that began in 2015 when the media assets were sold to Fox - thankfully the year I left - seems to have finally reached its nadir. R.I.P. to a once-great organization…✍️️ https://t.co/wFRxBDOd2S
— Spencer Wells (@spwells) June 29, 2023
The news report said the publication’s downfall has been in the making for years, triggered by the “ascent of digital news”. In September last year, the magazine laid off six of its top editors in an “extraordinary reorganisation of its editorial ranks”.
Notably, the 135 year-old magazine had just under 1.8 million subscribers at the end of 2022, Washington Post said, citing Alliance for Audited Media, as against 12 million subscribers in the US alone in the late 1980s.
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