United States: Texas Tribune Announces Massive Layoffs, Entire Copy Desk Eliminated in Unprecedented Move

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with laid-off journalists, demands accountability from management 

Location: United States, Texas, Austin
Date: August 23, 2023

The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization, made the decision to lay off several journalists, including Alexa Ura and Jolie McCullough, as well as Copy Chief Emily Goldstein, Copy Editor Beth Bond, and the entire copy desk. These layoffs mark the first time the organization has executed such measures in its 14-year history. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with the journalists and calls for accountability from management.

In an effort to reverse its financial and leadership struggles, the Texas Tribune has laid off several employees, including journalists and editors Alexa Ura, Jolie McCullough, Emily Goldstein, and Beth Bond. According to CEO Sonal Shah, the decision comes as the organization aims to refocus its investment on new formats and tools amidst industry challenges such as changing audience behaviors and advancements in AI technology.

"As I began planning with the leadership team for 2024 and matched our goals with the numbers — readership, potential audience and financial data — we realized that we could be entering a tough budget year. That has turned out to be the case, and the Tribune has to face economic changes just like any other business." explained Shah in a report for the Tribune. 

The layoffs at the Tribune have faced backlash from both current and former employees, who argue that it is not only a mistake but also a disservice to the readers

The Tribune is now part of a growing list of media organizations that have experienced significant layoffs. In fact, 2023 has seen the highest number of media layoffs ever recorded, surpassing a staggering 17,000.

CFWIJ has been closely monitoring the significant wave of layoffs within the media industry, particularly in North America. We have documented instances of large-scale layoffs, highlighting the concerning trend that has increased in recent years. These layoffs have had a profound impact on the media landscape, leading to widespread job losses and a significant decrease in the number of journalists working in the industry. 

In March CFWIJ recorded layoffs at Global News which have had a significant impact on Canadian women journalists, particularly those who have been targeted with death threats for their reporting. Among those affected were well-known journalists Rachel Gilmore and Teresa Wright. This decision raises concerns about the safety and security of women in the journalism industry. 

On August 23, the staff of the Tribune initiated a GoFundMe campaign to provide assistance to the journalists and editors who were affected by the layoffs.

Media layoffs contribute to job losses and unemployment, which has a negative impact on journalists and their families. They lead to a decline in quality journalism and media content as experienced and knowledgeable employees are let go. This can result in a loss of diversity of perspectives and a decrease in investigative reporting.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses deep disappointment over the Texas Tribune’s decision and extends its support to the affected employees. We strongly believe that these layoffs disregard the valuable contributions of highly skilled and accomplished women journalists. Our concern is particularly heightened for women journalists who have been directly impacted by these layoffs. Considering the already challenging landscape for women journalists, finding new employment opportunities becomes even more daunting.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.