Veteran CBS Producer Alleges Political Bias in Farewell Memo Amid Paramount-Warner Merger
A veteran CBS News producer, Mary Walsh, who is leaving the network after an impressive 46-year career, has raised serious concerns about political bias at the network in a farewell memo sent to colleagues on Friday afternoon. The memo, obtained by the Guardian, comes at a critical time as CBS News owner Paramount Skydance emerges as the likely victor in a takeover fight for Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of CNN.
Allegations of Directed Reporting
In her heartfelt memo, Walsh expressed her reluctance to depart, stating, "We've been reading a lot of goodbyes lately and here I am headed out the door. It's too soon, even after 46 years." She then revealed a troubling directive, adding, "But maybe it's for the best. We've been told to aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum. Honestly, I don't know how to do that." While Walsh did not specify which political spectrum or mention CBS's current head, Bari Weiss, her comments have sparked significant internal discussion.
Context of Corporate Changes and Leadership
The timing of Walsh's memo is particularly noteworthy, as it follows the appointment of Bari Weiss, a conservative commentator turned media entrepreneur, to lead CBS News. Weiss's appointment was widely seen as a move to align with the Trump administration, raising questions about editorial independence. With Paramount poised to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, some CNN staffers are now anxious that political considerations might influence the network under the oversight of the Ellisons, though it remains unclear if Weiss would have any role at CNN.
A CBS News staffer, who was not authorized to comment publicly, emphasized the gravity of Walsh's allegations, noting that her stature at the network makes her comments "pretty huge" in significance. This sentiment is echoed by other departing employees, such as Alicia Hastey, who recently criticized the network's direction under Weiss and Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.
Broader Concerns from Departing Staff
Hastey, in her own memo first reported by the New York Times, warned that stories might be evaluated based on ideological expectations rather than journalistic merit, creating a chilling effect where producers and reporters self-censor to avoid backlash. This concern was further highlighted during a town-hall event with Weiss late last month, where an Evening News employee expressed fear of retaliation, stating, "Certain decisions and editorial choices have scared us... people are afraid for their jobs and afraid to even speak for fear of retaliation."
Legacy and Encouragement Amidst Turmoil
Despite the controversy, Walsh received a glowing tribute from CBS News president Tom Cibrowski during a staff-wide editorial call on Friday morning, alongside another veteran producer, Kate Rydell. Both were honored at the network's Washington bureau on Thursday. In her memo, Walsh reflected on her storied career, having worked with legends like Walter Cronkite, Joan Shorenstein, Dan Rather, and Bob Schieffer.
She defended the concept of legacy media, writing, "These days there's a lot said about legacy, especially legacy media. The put-down is that you're old and out of touch. To me, legacy is the way you will be remembered for generations to come." Walsh shared an encouraging message from Schieffer, who retired in 2015, reminding colleagues, "We were lucky because we were part of something grand, something that made a difference and no one can take that away from us."
Concluding with optimism, Walsh urged her remaining colleagues, "History is being made every day. Cover it. I'll be watching. And please stay in touch." Her departure is part of a broader trend, as she is one of nearly a dozen employees on the network's evening news program who elected to take a buyout, signaling potential unrest within the organization.
