Newspapers rely on digital subscriptions to survive. Losing subscribers is a big deal, especially for a major publication.
The Washington Post is now facing a wave of cancellations. More than 75,000 digital subscribers have reportedly canceled their memberships, according to Digi24.
This follows changes made by the newspaper’s owner, Jeff Bezos.
NPR reported that the cancellations were linked to new restrictions on opinion coverage. The number came from an anonymous source who feared backlash from the company.
The Washington Post declined to comment on the figures. It also did not respond to criticism about the changes.
Bezos announced a new editorial approach on Wednesday. He said the newspaper would focus on supporting personal freedoms and free markets.
Other viewpoints would be left for different publications to cover. Shortly after, David Shipley, the editor of the opinion section, decided to step down. He reportedly disagreed with the new direction.
According to NPR, the backlash from readers was swift. The cancellations that followed were described as historic.
Many readers were upset with the shift in editorial policy. However, this was not the first time The Washington Post faced a large drop in subscribers.
Mass cancellations started in late October. That was when Bezos scrapped a project that supported Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
Since then, over 300,000 people have ended their subscriptions. NPR reported these figures last month.
The controversy also caught the attention of public figures. Several celebrities have publicly announced that they are canceling their subscriptions.
Breitbart News reported on this trend, noting a growing divide among readers.
Bezos has not made further comments on the situation. The Washington Post has remained silent on the exact impact of these cancellations.
The future of the publication remains uncertain as it navigates these changes. Readers and industry experts will be watching closely to see how it unfolds.
