The Washington Post has laid off a third of its staff, leaving international reporters, including those in war zones, to find their own way home. In response, Tokyo/Seoul bureau chief Michelle Ye Hee Lee started a GoFundMe campaign to support dozens of international employees who were essential to global coverage but are now facing serious security risks and logistical challenges.
The crowdfunding page states that these workers are not covered by the Washington Post Guild and are being laid off with less favorable terms. Proceeds will help cover rent, legal guidance, relocation, storage, and other urgent needs. The campaign is operated by Lee, Rebecca Tan, and other Post reporters.
Among those affected is Lizzie Johnson, a correspondent covering Ukraine, who wrote on X from Kyiv: 'I was just laid off by The Washington Post in the middle of a warzone. I have no words. I’m devastated.' Investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani also announced her layoff after eight years, mostly covering China from Hong Kong.
Claire Parker, Cairo bureau chief, expressed gratitude for support but noted that while she is on a US union contract with protections, many international colleagues are not. The company is retaining some as contractors for now, but the duration is uncertain.
The layoffs are part of a restructuring that cut over 300 jobs across sports, books, metro, and international sections, and shut down the Post Reports podcast. The Washington Post Guild condemned the cuts, stating they are not inevitable and will harm credibility and reach. The guild has also set up its own GoFundMe for laid-off employees.
