WGA Urges CBS News Staffers to Not Respond to Bari Weiss Info-Seeking Memo Until Company Provides Details on Purpose of
The Writers Guild of America told union employees it represents at CBS News to not respond to an email requesting information sent to staff by Bari Weiss — The Free Press founder who this week was appointed CBS News’ editor in chief — until CBS provides more details on what the purpose of her missive is, including whether their replies could serve as “a basis for discipline, discharge, or layoff.”
The Free Press, launched by conservative-leaning Weiss in 2021, was acquired this week by Paramount Skydance, parent of CBS. As part of the deal, reported to be worth $150 million, Weiss has oversight of CBS News editorial operations.
Weiss told CBS News staffers in a memo Friday morning that she was eager “to understand how you spend your working hours — and ideally, what you’ve made (or are making) that you are most proud of.” She asked every employee at the news division to send her a memo providing those details by Tuesday, Oct. 14, as well as “your views on what’s working; what’s broken or substandard; and how we can be better.” Weiss said all responses “will be held in the strictest of confidence.”
In an email to WGA members obtained by Variety, union reps said, “We are aware that Bari Weiss sent an email asking CBS employees to provide information about their jobs and feedback about CBS News. Many of you have expressed concern to us about the purpose of the email, and we share those concerns.”
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/wga-cbs-news-staffers-not-respond-bari-weiss-memo-1236546038/
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