CBS News’s newly appointed editor‑in‑chief, Bari Weiss, has sent a memo requiring staffers to submit detailed descriptions of their daily work by Tuesday. She asked employees to explain what they do, highlight their accomplishments, and point out areas in need of improvement.
The Writers Guild of America East has cautioned its members not to respond until CBS provides clarity about how those memos will be used. The union wants disclosure on whether failing to comply could lead to discipline, whether management will use AI to analyze the responses, and who will have access to submitted materials.
Weiss framed the request as an opportunity to “familiarize myself with you — and I want you to do the same with me — to know that we are aligned on achieving a shared vision for CBS News.” But critics—both within the union and in media circles—argue the memo carries implicit pressures and risks turning internal review into a tool for control.
For news organizations, the balance between accountability and editorial freedom is delicate. Demanding such structured disclosures without transparent safeguards could chill journalistic autonomy. This standoff tests how new leadership treats staff rights versus managerial control—and whether the pledge to avoid partisanship includes internal processes as well as reporting.
