CBS News executive Bari Weiss was set to speak at UCLA later this month but has canceled due to safety issues stemming from opposition by left-wing groups.
“Mr. Weiss was scheduled to discuss ‘The Future of Journalism’ during the annual Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture on February 27. However, the university announced the event will not proceed as initially planned, as Weiss’s team has withdrawn from participation,” a report notes.
Sources indicate that staff at the Burkle Center and the International Institute voiced their disapproval of Weiss’s campus talk. Additionally, the university anticipated significant student protests against the event.
Interestingly, past speakers like Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper have delivered similar talks without facing backlash or security issues. So, what’s happening here?
The straightforward explanation seems to be that Mr. Weiss is being targeted for his attempts to reform CBS News, despite having made no actual changes within the organization.
It’s evident that Weiss is being depicted as a symbol of a broader “fascist movement,” but surprisingly, mainstream media hasn’t really condemned the organized leftist tactics that have effectively pressured guest lecturers on campuses.
I don’t have particular admiration for Bari Weiss, yet I wouldn’t oppose her speaking engagement. Frankly, I’d probably go just to hear her out.
Nevertheless, instead of confronting left-wing intimidation, some in the media seem to blame Weiss herself for the cancellation rather than the aggressors.
The juxtaposition to Weiss’s planned UCLA talk comes amid reports of impending layoffs at CBS News, which are expected to impact 15% of the workforce this spring.
Weiss faced unrest regarding her planned appearance, with groups like Code Pink organizing calls for its cancellation. Many expressed unease about her discussing journalism’s future while CBS grapples with issues like censorship allegations and notable staff departures.
The cancellation ties into ongoing turmoil at CBS, recently highlighted by disputes involving late-night host Stephen Colbert regarding the FCC’s enforcement of equal time regulations.
This event’s cancellation reflects broader struggles within the CBS network, particularly as many staff members in the evening news division accepted voluntary buyouts, following substantial layoffs last October. Reports suggest further cuts may loom.
So, here’s the kicker… Dear Bari: What’s to be done?
If she were genuinely committed to reform, she might mirror the actions of networks like CBS or CNN. What if a prominent figure faced intimidation to speak? That would make headlines everywhere!
Just think: if Jake Tapper had been silenced at Liberty University by intimidation, the uproar would have been monumental. Discussions about right-wing extremism would dominate the news cycle. Every Republican would be held accountable.
- “Right-wing terrorists!”
- “Democracy is dying!”
- “Should private institutions be held to account?”
- “Free speech for extremists!”
The fallout would be relentless, leading to in-depth analyses and potentially even documentaries. So, once more, I ask…
What’s next, Bari?
If CBS is genuinely serious about reform, let’s see tangible changes… perhaps a segment on left-wing intolerance in academic spaces. Let’s hear from Democrats on this issue. This isn’t just about proving CBS is changing; it’s a significant story about rising fascist tendencies on campuses.
But chances are, CBS won’t take that route. All this talk about reform seems merely performative.
