CBS News management surprised staffers with an unexpected Christmas gift this year – a memo doubling down on a controversial decision that has stirred up controversy within the Paramount Skydance news unit.
In the memo sent by CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss, President Tom Cibrowski, and senior editors Charles Forelle and Adam Rubenstein, the management defended their move to delay a “60 Minutes” report by correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. The decision was made to ensure the report is comprehensive and fair, according to the memo. This marks the first appearance of a new CBS News editorial “masthead,” signaling a shift in the company’s newsgathering process.
The memo emphasized the importance of regaining the public’s trust in the press, acknowledging that the majority of Americans currently do not trust the media. The management team stated that to win back trust, they must work hard, sometimes requiring more legwork, telling unexpected stories, or focusing on overlooked topics.
The controversy arose when a “60 Minutes” segment reported by Sharyn Alfonsi about Venezuelan men deported to prison in El Salvador was shelved just hours before broadcast. Weiss insisted that Trump officials appear in the report to comment on camera, even though Alfonsi’s team had made efforts to secure responses beforehand. This decision was met with criticism from Alfonsi, who called it corporate censorship.
Weiss has been vocal about her belief that mainstream media has lost Americans’ trust since her arrival in October. However, a Pew Research Center study showed that CBS News still enjoys the trust of 51% of U.S. adults in their information. The management team defended their editorial decisions, stating that they may seem radical but are necessary to fulfill their mission.
The timing of this controversy is unfortunate for CBS News, as they are preparing to launch Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor of “CBS Evening News.” The decision to delay the “60 Minutes” report has cast a shadow over the news unit and its parent company, Paramount, especially amidst their battle with Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
Many staffers are dismayed by Weiss’ decision, especially after a lengthy vetting process and promotion of the segment to the public. Despite the delay, the report was made available digitally by a Canadian media outlet. If a new version of the story airs, viewers will be able to see the changes made under Weiss’ supervision.
Weiss has faced criticism for a series of missteps since her arrival at CBS News, including attempting to hire big-name anchors, launching controversial town halls, and pushing back against the union representing CBS News staffers. The memo reiterated Weiss’ belief that news consumers have less trust in mainstream media, despite evidence showing CBS News still maintains a significant level of trust among the public.
Overall, the memo from CBS News management reflects their commitment to upholding journalistic standards and regaining the public’s trust, even in the face of controversy. It remains to be seen how this latest decision will impact the news unit and its reputation moving forward.
