Singapore – Global media and technology company Yahoo in Singapore is reportedly laying off all of journalists and social media executives, according to a recent report from The Edge Singapore. In total, 17 staff members will be leaving the company’s digital news publication arm by May 7.
According to staff familiar with the matter, affected staff will receive slightly more than two weeks’ pay per year of service. It was also reported that affected staff members were met with a HR representative, with Simon Wheeler, Yahoo’s senior director of content, Australia and Southeast Asia, reportedly being also present in those meetings.
When reached out for a statement, a Yahoo spokesperson told MARKETECH APAC, “We are shifting our editorial strategy to better align with strategic priorities for Yahoo Singapore. Readers can expect to continue seeing the content they most regularly engage with and enjoy. We remain focused on delivering a diverse selection of high-quality and engaging news, lifestyle and finance content, from local and international sources.”
It is worth noting that through this move, Yahoo Singapore will now move towards focusing on publishing syndicated content from its publication partners such as TechCrunch, AFP News, HuffPost, amongst others. Previously, Yahoo SG catered to a mix of syndicated content as well as original reporting from its journalists.
This is not the first time Yahoo announced a slew of layoffs, specifically those in the digital news segment. In 2023, Yahoo eliminated around 1,600 jobs — or 20% of its total workforce then — as part of its efforts to restructure its advertising tech division and phase out its supply-side platform. It also laid off around seven journalists in its Singapore office in 2022.
