Rupert Murdoch tried to ease concerns over wide-scale layoffs at National Geographic on Wednesday as the magazine’s sale to News Corp remains pending.
The media mogul tweeted that National Geographic is in fine shape despite being set to let go of around 180 of its 2,000 staffers.
Murdoch wrote that only four people were laid off from the actual magazine while the remaining cuts came from the nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society.
“Editorial staff, leadership firmly in place,” he tweeted. In addition to the 180 layoffs, a much smaller number of employees will be offered buyouts.
Layoffs are already underway at National Geographic Channel, which is the most profitable part of the organization. Several staffers from the fact-checking department were laid off on Tuesday, according to The Washington Post.
National Geographic announced its sale to News Corporation in September for $725 million with the deal expected to close on Nov 16.