Should I write or should I not?
Staff at CBS News found themselves caught in a web of mixed directives on Monday, according to sources familiar with the situation. This uncertainty arose when certain producers from the Paramount Skydance news division encouraged journalists to address a controversial memo issued by new Editor in Chief Bari Weiss, which had previously attracted criticism from the Writers Guild of America. The memo prompted staff to share insights on their work habits and perceptions about CBS News to ensure alignment on a common vision for the outlet.
Just hours after the memo became known, the WGA advised its members at CBS News to refrain from responding until CBS provided clarity regarding the intent behind the memo and whether their responses could potentially lead to disciplinary actions, job terminations, or layoffs.
Weiss’s recent appointment as editor in chief at CBS News was announced by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison last week, triggering unrest among staff. Weiss is known as a digital innovator and opinion writer who founded The Free Press, but lacks experience leading a traditional television news organization and has limited history in assisting conventional journalists deal with the difficulties of fact-finding. Despite not having a conventional background in newsrooms, she has an open line to Ellison, while Tom Cibrowski, a former ABC executive who recently became CBS News president, has been assigned to support Weiss and provide his expertise.
CBS News did not make its executives available for comment.
This internal turmoil at Paramount occurs at a time when employees are increasingly anxious about potential job losses. Leadership at Paramount has indicated plans for substantial workforce reductions aimed at cost savings. Information regarding staff layoffs is anticipated in connection with the next earnings report from Paramount.
According to insiders, there is “mass confusion” among staff due to contradictory directives; while some managers are encouraging them to submit notes to Weiss, their union is advising against it. Furthermore, some producers are not under union contracts and may feel pressured to comply with the new leadership’s requests, as noted by those familiar with the dynamics.
There are valid reasons for restructuring at CBS News. The organization has faced a series of senior leadership changes in recent years, none of which have successfully reversed the downward trends affecting flagship programs like “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings,” which consistently rank third behind their NBC and ABC counterparts. Despite these challenges, CBS News benefits from a solid foundation of trust among viewers, with programs like “CBS Sunday Morning” and “60 Minutes” being highly recognizable news brands. According to the Pew Research Center, 51% of U.S. adults express at least some trust in information from national news outlets, with CBS News ranking just behind ABC and NBC, and on par with both CNN and PBS.
