What did CBS News give its staff for Christmas? A memo stirring up controversy about a decision that has upset many. CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss, along with President Tom Cibrowski and senior editors Charles Forelle and Adam Rubenstein, sent a note to staff just before Christmas Eve. They explained why a “60 Minutes” report by Sharyn Alfonsi was delayed. They claimed it was to ensure the piece was thorough and fair.
The memo stated, “Most Americans don’t trust the press. It’s not because they’re crazy. To regain that trust, we need to work hard.” They emphasized the need to dive deeper into stories and cover overlooked topics. Sometimes, they said, this might even mean holding back a significant news piece to make sure it meets their new standards.
This decision to shelve the “60 Minutes” segment, focusing on Venezuelan men deported to prison in El Salvador, came just hours before it was supposed to air. Alfonsi noted the decision was due to a demand for comments from Trump officials, something her team had already tried to secure beforehand. This led her to remark that the public might see this as corporate censorship.
Since Weiss joined CBS News in October, some staffers feel her approach has raised eyebrows. A recent Gallup poll revealed that only 28% of Americans trust media to report news accurately, down from 40% five years ago. However, a September study from Pew Research Center showed that CBS has a modest level of trust among 51% of U.S. adults.
The memo acknowledged that the editorial decisions made might seem radical, especially during quiet news weeks. Yet, Weiss and her team believe these changes are necessary for the network to achieve its mission.
This ripple of controversy comes at a tricky time. CBS is gearing up to launch Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor of “CBS Evening News,” without the usual promotional push. Instead, he will embark on a tour across the country. Meanwhile, Paramount, CBS’s parent company, is in a fierce competition with Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, adding pressure during this transitional phase.
Many staffers expressed shock over Weiss’s call, especially since the report was promoted to viewers before it was shelved. Interestingly, a Canadian media outlet aired the segment online, giving viewers a chance to see it despite CBS’s decision.
Weiss, known for her provocative style and previous work at The Free Press, has faced criticism over her management. Since starting, she has encountered issues with CBS News staff and sought high-profile names for news segments but has faced pushback from the team.
Despite her efforts, and repeated assertions about the public’s distrust in the media, recent studies paint a more nuanced picture. CBS News maintains a decent standing among mainstream networks, ranking close to CNN and PBS, just trailing slightly behind ABC and NBC.
As CBS navigates this challenging landscape, the call for transparency and fairness resonates. The ongoing debate about media trust, corporate influence, and editorial integrity highlights the complexities of news reporting today. With changing dynamics in media, it’s essential for outlets to adapt while keeping this trust in mind.
For more insights on media trust and its impact, you can refer to the Pew Research Center’s findings here.
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