January 1, CBS News Bloodbath: 800 Jobs Axed, Top Talent Herridge Ousted

Catherine Herridge, an award-winning journalist, has been caught in the crossfire of a massive layoff wave at CBS News, a part of Paramount Global. This layoff wave is said to be impacting approximately 800 jobs, which is about 3% of Paramount’s total workforce.

Paramount’s CEO, Bob Bakish, explained the need for these drastic cuts in an internal memo, stating they were necessary for the company’s financial health. “These adjustments will help enable us to build on our momentum and execute our strategic vision for the year ahead — and I firmly believe we have much to be excited about,” Bakish wrote, as reported by Yahoo Finance.

However, this downsizing has sparked resentment among employees, especially given Bakish’s hefty $32 million paycheck last year amidst the company’s struggles. An insider told the New York Post, “Everybody in the newsroom is pissed that Bob Bakish is making over $30 million and he’s making these cuts.”

The layoffs have hit CBS News hard, which employs around 2,000 people. Approximately 20 people, including some of the news outlet’s top talent like Herridge, were given notice of their termination.

Herridge, who previously reported for Fox News, is currently under pressure from U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper to reveal her sources in a series of stories she wrote for Fox. These stories involve a federal investigation of a Chinese American scientist. Despite the pressure, Herridge has steadfastly refused to disclose her sources, potentially facing contempt of court charges and a daily fine of up to $5,000.

The case involving Herridge is being closely monitored by news organizations and advocates of the First Amendment, due to the potential implications it could have on the future of anonymous reporting of sensitive stories.

While working at CBS News, Herridge continued to break significant stories on national security and legal issues.

In addition to Herridge, CBS News also let go of other senior reporting talent. This includes Jeff Pegues, who has been with the network since 2013 and served as its chief national affairs and justice correspondent. Christina Ruffini, who covers foreign affairs and the State Department, and Pamela Falk, who covers the United Nations, are also reportedly leaving, according to Deadline.

Why It Matters (op-ed)

The layoffs at CBS News, including top talent like Catherine Herridge, are a clear sign of the ongoing war against conservative voices in mainstream media. Herridge’s award-winning journalism and dedication to protecting her sources, even in the face of potential contempt charges, demonstrate her commitment to truth and integrity.

Paramount’s CEO, Bob Bakish, claims these layoffs are for the company’s financial health, yet he pockets a massive $32 million paycheck. This is yet another example of the hypocrisy and double standards that plague the media industry, prioritizing money over truth and silencing voices that don’t align with their agenda.

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