It seems that responding to the memo is optional.
CBS has clarified that employees at CBS News will not face any repercussions for choosing not to reply to a widely discussed communication sent last week by Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of the division, as reported by Writers Guild of America East, which represents many CBS News staffers.
CBS stated to us that “there will be no disciplinary action for not replying to the email, meaning a response is not mandatory. Moreover, the company specified that if you decide to respond, it will not be a reason for any disciplinary measures, termination, or layoffs,” as per a message from the union to its members that was obtained by Variety. “We aim to ensure the company upholds this commitment.”
CBS News did not make executives available for any comments.
According to three sources knowledgeable about the situation, CBS News employees have been facing mixed messages since Weiss shared her memo, after some producers within the Paramount Skydance news unit encouraged journalists to reply, despite WGA objections. Weiss requested staff members to share their working hours and their perceptions of CBS News, with the aim of ensuring that she and her editorial team could be “aligned on pursuing a shared vision for CBS News.”
Generally, a simple memo from a senior executive doesn’t lead to such upheaval, but Weiss is not a conventional news figure. She was appointed editor in chief at CBS News last week by Paramount Skydance’s CEO David Ellison, which has left CBS News staffers unsettled. Weiss, known as a digital entrepreneur and opinion columnist who founded The Free Press, lacks experience in managing an established television news outlet and little history in guiding traditional journalists through the complexities of factual reporting. She maintains a direct line to Ellison, whereas Tom Cibrowski, a former ABC executive who joined as CBS News president earlier this year, is expected to collaborate with Weiss and provide his seasoned perspective.
The tensions at Paramount occur amidst widespread employee anxiety regarding potential job losses. Paramount leadership has expressed intentions to considerably reduce the workforce in an effort to cut costs. Insights into staff layoffs are anticipated to be disclosed in Paramount’s upcoming earnings report.
CBS reassured the union that employee feedback regarding Weiss was not intended to be utilized to instigate pushback against respondents. “The goal is that only Bari Weiss and her Chief of Staff will have access to the responses, although they might need to share them with other senior figures,” CBS stated. The company also emphasized that Weiss’ intent in soliciting employee input was “to understand the employees better and utilize it as a discussion guide during her upcoming meetings with staff in the forthcoming weeks and months as time allows.”
