CBS News Cuts Race and Culture Unit Amid Massive 1,000-Staff Layoffs

CBS News recently underwent significant layoffs as part of a broader reduction by its parent company Paramount, which plans to cut over 2,000 staffers network-wide. Among the affected areas was the Race and Culture Unit, a team established in 2020 to review stories for appropriate context, tone, and intention, which was entirely eliminated. This unit had drawn attention following its reprimand of CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil for his tough interview questions about Israel with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. The layoffs also impacted other roles, including the co-hosts of CBS Saturday Morning and streaming shows, as CBS News seeks to restructure and focus on growth under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Although these cuts were planned prior to Weiss's appointment, they have been described internally as a "bloodbath" reflecting a major reorganization. The move signals a shift in CBS News' editorial direction and workforce strategy amid industry-wide challenges and changing priorities.