WGA urges CBS News staff not to respond to Bari Weiss memo
The Writers Guild of America, which represents CBS News employees, told company members not to respond to an email sent to staff by Bari Weiss, the founder of The Free Press who was named editor-in-chief of CBS News this week, until CBS provides more details about what the purpose of its mission is.
The conservative-oriented Weiss’ Free Press was acquired this week by Paramount Skydance, parent company of CBS. As part of the deal, which is reportedly worth $150 million, Weiss will oversee CBS News’ editorial operations
Weiss told CBS News staff in a memo Friday that she would like to “understand how you spend your work hours — and ideally, what you have created (or continue to create) that you are most proud of.” She asked every news department employee to send her a memo by Tuesday, Oct. 14, containing these details, as well as “your thoughts on what’s working, what’s broken or substandard, and how we can get better.”
In an email to WGA members, union representatives said: “We are aware that Bari Weiss has sent an email requesting that CBS employees provide information about their jobs and feedback about CBS News. Many of you have expressed concerns to us about the purpose of the email, and we share these concerns.”
The WGA email continued: “As a result, we immediately requested that the company provide information regarding the email by Monday. We encourage you not to respond until we can share the information we receive so that you can make an informed decision before Tuesday’s deadline:
The WGA email was sent by Michael Isaac, director of broadcast/cable/streaming news, and field representatives Brandon West, Sophie Martin and Dana Trentalange.
CBS representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. WGA East represents employees at both CBS News and CBS News Digital.
According to a memo from Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison sent Monday, Weiss will “ensure our reporting remains relevant, accessible and – most importantly – trustworthy in this new era for American media.”
According to the email from the WGA representatives, the union has asked CBS for the following information:
- Who received the email?
- Who has access to the answers employees provide?
- Will employee reactions be the basis for discipline, dismissal or dismissal?
- Will employees be punished if they do not respond to the email?
- What does the company plan to do with the responses?
- Will the company use AI technology to assess responses? If so, what directions are given?
- What steps will be taken to ensure that the results are non-discriminatory?
