As Jeff Bezos dismantles The Washington Post, 5 regional papers chart a course for survival

Other billionaires who own newspapers are doing a better job, a journalism professor explains.

By: Dan Kennedy, Northeastern University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 10, 2026

Words: 1,542

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Dan Kennedy, Northeastern University

The Washington Post’s evisceration at the hands of its billionaire owner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, didn’t have to happen.

Following months of speculation, the Post cut at least 300 of its 800 journalists on Feb. 4, 2026, drastically reducing its international, local and sports coverage and eliminating its photo department and stand-alone book review section. The downsizing followed several decisions by Bezos that drove away hundreds of thousands of …

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