The Writers Guild of America East is telling its CBS News members that the network assured them that they won’t face discipline if they decline to respond to new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss’ memo to staffers, which asked for information on what they do and what’s not working.
In a WGAE email to members, obtained by Deadline, the guild said, “The company responded today and informed us that you will not be disciplined if you do not respond to the email, indicating that a response is optional. The company further stated that if you choose to respond, it will not be a basis for discipline, discharge, or layoff.”
“We intend to hold the company to these responses.”
Last week, Weiss asked staffers for a memo by Tuesday to “understand how you spend your working hours — and, ideally, what you’ve made (or are making) that you’re most proud of. I’m also interested in hearing your views on what’s working; what’s broken or substandard; and how we can be better. Please be blunt — it will help me greatly.” She said that she would use the memos as a “discussion guide” in individual meetings in the coming weeks.
The email triggered concern among staffers, particularly given the expectation that layoffs are pending throughout Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, by the end of the year.
Per the guild, the network responded to a series of questions, saying, “The intention is that only Bari Weiss and her Chief of Staff will see the responses, though they may have an obligation to share with other senior executives.”
The network also told the WGAE that the email responses are not the basis for discipline, discharge or layoffs. CBS News leadership also said that the responses would not be reviewed via AI. The network told the guild that the purpose of the email was for “Bari to get to know the employees and use it as a discussion guide as she meets with employees in the coming weeks and months as time permits.” Variety first reported on the new WGAE guidance.
A CBS News spokesperson said that they had no comment.
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