This week, Condé Nast found itself at the center of two interconnected stories that highlight ongoing challenges within the media industry. The situation underscores the tightening constraints faced by media outlets and the influence of a new wave of journalists who bring a blend of activism and discord to the newsroom environment.

The drama began with the announcement earlier this week that Teen Vogue, known for its progressive stance, is undergoing significant changes. Much of its editorial team is being laid off, and remaining staff and content will be integrated into the main Condé Nast publication. Over the years, Teen Vogue has been a vocal platform for left-leaning viewpoints, addressing issues such as sex worker rights, abortion advocacy, and even promoting communist ideologies to its young audience.

Following this development, news broke on Thursday about internal unrest at Condé Nast’s offices. Employees from various publications under the company’s umbrella expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to scale back Teen Vogue. The situation reportedly involved Human Resources Director Stan Duncan, who faced a group of employees demanding engagement on the issue. His refusal to address their concerns led to the dismissal of several staff members from outlets including WIRED Magazine, The New Yorker, and Bon Appétit.

This incident mirrors similar trends observed at other media organizations, where a new generation of journalists enters the workforce with a sense of entitlement and outsized influence. For instance, the New York Times experienced a staff revolt over an editorial by Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, while The Washington Post faced internal dissent when executives decided against endorsing a presidential candidate last year.

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— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) November 6, 2025

This item tracks with others from a variety of media outlets over the years, where the new class of staffers arrive with a sense of unearned power and entitlement, behaving as if they wield some level of influence well above their pay grade. It has been rather pronounced at the New York Times, where, you should recall, there was a staff revolt over Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton writing an editorial. The Washington Post saw some uprisings when the editorial managers and executives made decisions such as choosing not to endorse a presidential candidate last year.