Recently, I had a conversation with a senator about CBS News, and I was surprised he didn’t know who William S. Paley was. Paley, my grandfather, played a key role in establishing CBS. I cherished him deeply. I also had the privilege of working with Fred W. Friendly, a former president of CBS News who collaborated with the legendary Edward R. Murrow. Together, they changed the landscape of U.S. media.
Today, CBS feels different. I’m especially saddened by the recent decision to end its radio news service after nearly a century. This service was built by my grandfather and became a vital part of CBS’s identity. CBS News has always been known for its quality journalism, thanks to figures like Murrow and Walter Cronkite.
My grandfather had a personal rule: no family members could work for CBS. But I sought his approval to join Friendly after Friendly left CBS over a controversial decision to air a sitcom instead of important news about the Vietnam War. My grandfather respected Friendly for his commitment to journalism.
In March, CBS News editor Bari Weiss announced cuts to radio programming and layoffs, signaling a troubling trend in news quality. While I get my news from various sources, I trust the CBS News Radio updates on SiriusXM the most. They deliver essential stories in just five minutes, reminiscent of the Cronkite era.
Despite claims to the contrary, I doubt cutting radio will improve CBS’s finances. Weiss said radio is part of CBS’s history, but sustaining it has proven difficult in a crowded market. Recent layoffs followed declining viewership for CBS’s evening news, which is now in third place.
Interestingly, when television emerged, radio and TV coexisted peacefully. My grandfather noted in a 1948 shareholder report that new media doesn’t replace old ones; they all contribute to the messiness of information as our nation evolves.
I believe radio can still thrive in our media landscape if given the attention it deserves. As Murrow famously said, “Good night and good luck.”
For more insights on the evolving media landscape, you can read further on platforms like the Pew Research Center, which regularly provides in-depth analysis of news consumption trends.
