Wednesday saw staffers of The Washington Post erupt in response to publisher Fred Ryan’s announcement of layoffs, with Kathy Baird, chief spokesperson for the paper, confirming that a certain number of positions will be eliminated.
This will bring the employee base to a single-digit percentage, though it is not expected to result in a net reduction in headcount.
As employees posed questions, Ryan refused to answer them.
“We’re not gonna turn the TownHall into a grievance session, I’m sorry.”
“That’s not a grievance session, it’s a question,” one employee shot back.
Another reporter stood up and asked Ryan what he would do to “protect people’s jobs.”
Ryan announced he would have further details prior to his departure, as reporters began to bombard him with queries and shouts.