Today brings the latest wave of corporate layoffs, with CBS News, known for its progressive stance, announcing unexpected reductions. The company plans to cut its workforce by 6 percent and completely shut down the iconic CBS News Radio.
“We’re reducing our workforce, and those affected will be informed by the end of the day,” stated a memo from CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cybrowski, released on Friday.
“It’s known that the news industry is shifting, and we must adapt to these changes. We see new audiences emerging in various places, and we have plans to invest and grow to support them,” the memo continued. “This means we must downsize some of our newsrooms to create space for initiatives necessary to remain competitive.”
These layoffs follow a series of recent acquisitions that have been suggested and accepted. CBS Evening News Editorial staff.
According to information from New York Post, this 6 percent reduction translates to approximately about 60 positions. The combination of headcount reductions and acquisitions might lead to savings of up to 15%.
“An official statement from CBS mentioned,” Post noted that the layoffs could impact nearly 60 individuals. Reports prior indicated that up to 15% of the department’s workforce could be laid off. It was also mentioned that several staffers opted for buyouts in the weeks leading up to these layoffs on Friday.
In another memo, Weiss and Cybrowski confirmed the permanent shutdown of CBS News Radio.
“Regrettably, this means all positions within the CBS News Radio team will be discontinued,” the memo stated. “We recognize how challenging this news is for our staff and their colleagues who have dedicated themselves to covering some of the most significant events of our time.”
“For close to a century, CBS News Radio has delivered original reporting to the nation, from Edward R. Murrow’s World War II reports in London to today’s updates from the White House,” the memo further explained. “Our flagship program, ‘World News Roundup,’ has been the longest-running newscast in the country. CBS News Radio has laid the groundwork for everything we’ve achieved since 1927.”
CBS News Radio is indeed legendary. It took shape in 1938 during the early World War II years, thanks to the ingenuity of Murrow and William L. Shirer, along with CBS’s engineers and producers. World News Summary allowed reporters worldwide to keep the nation informed about global events. This program continued until last December. I can still recall the first time I heard Murrow’s voice on the radio during his inaugural broadcast. World News Summary.
It’s astonishing to think there was once a time when CBS News was largely trusted for its reporting. Nowadays, like many traditional news outlets, CBS seems like a shadow of its former self, with its credibility diminished.
