There seems to be significant discontent within CBS News related to the appointment of Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor for CBS Evening News, with staff expressing their frustrations publicly.
Reports indicate that numerous CBS News employees are upset about Executive Editor Bari Weiss’ choice of Dokoupil, labeling him as an “ordinary straight, white male” whose promotion is closely tied to his alignment with Weiss’s pro-Israel views.
Weiss had reportedly considered bringing in Bret Baier or Dana Perino from Fox News as potential anchors for the evening newscast, and one can only imagine the kind of turmoil that might have sparked among the staff.
“This feels like a slap in the face to the legendary journalists who came before him,” said a CBS News reporter.
Why the anger? Well, it seems that Dokoupil only once stepped away from the mainstream media narrative to challenge Ta-Nehisi Coates on his alleged anti-Semitism. Just like that, his colleagues turned against him. Coates is a controversial figure, admired by some in corporate media for his strong anti-Israel and anti-American stances, which apparently makes him off-limits for criticism. Dokoupil dared to speak up and now he’s on the outs.
“Tony’s pro-Israel stance aligns with Bari’s agenda,” the reporter noted. “Her interest in Dokoupil likely intensified after overhearing audio from a CBS editorial meeting where he asked some off-the-wall and xenophobic questions to Ta-Nehisi Coates last year.”
An unnamed source remarked on Dokoupil’s rapid fall from favor, citing his interview with Coates, which ended up going viral for all the wrong reasons. “He was embarrassed and insulated by Shari Redstone, and now Bali is protecting him too,” a disgruntled colleague claimed.
Another staffer expressed concerns that those who support Israel would now have unchecked influence over the narrative, accusing Weiss of pushing an “anti-diversity” agenda.
These sentiments were echoed by yet another source who critiqued the decision to hire a typical straight white male, stating he lacks the courage to ask tough questions unless they align with his personal views. “It’s really disrespectful to the groundbreaking news figures who paved the way,” they added.
Overall, the mood seems to be one of frustration, with some employees feeling that this new direction reflects a troubling trend within the newsroom.
