Scientific American Layoffs Signal Broader Decline in U.S. Science Journalism

In late June 2026, Scientific American was sold to new owners who immediately cut 15 staff members and reduced salaries for many others. The move follows a wave of layoffs across major outlets, including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR and CBS News, where science and environmental reporters have been let go. The trend mirrors the 1986 “science crash” when two of the era’s most popular science magazines folded, a pattern that has repeated in the past four decades. Only 11 of 29 long‑standing U. S. popular science magazines remain, and three of the oldest—Scientific American, Popular Science and National Geographic—have all faced recent cutbacks. From 2000 to 2025, U. S. newspaper jobs fell by roughly 80%, while periodical publishing lost about 65% of positions, reflecting a broader shift to digital advertising and younger audiences’ consumption habits. The shrinking workforce threatens the depth and accuracy of science coverage in mainstream media.