CBS News has come under fire for its controversial Race and Culture Unit, which reportedly has the power to censor and dictate the content of news segments and scripts on the network. Former employees allege that the unit must approve all show scripts that could potentially offend certain viewers.
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CBS News' Racial Censorship: Race and Culture Unit Dictates Content
CBS News' Race and Culture Unit has emerged as a hot-button issue following reports that it influenced the coverage of Israel-related topics, sparking internal controversy and accusations of censorship.
Former CBS employees have revealed that the Race and Culture Unit vets "basically every story" that deals with sensitive cultural issues. Show producers are "required" to send draft scripts to the unit and other departments for approval before airing.
CBS News' Racial Censorship: Race and Culture Unit Dictates Content
CBS "Mornings" host Tony Dokoupil faced criticism from network leadership for his interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates, whose book on Israel drew criticism for its omission of key context. Dokoupil pressed Coates on whether he believed Israel had a right to exist, sparking controversy within the network.
According to reports, the Race and Culture Unit deemed Dokoupil's tone inappropriate, despite finding his questions acceptable. This was seen as a violation of the network's pre-production process, which requires questions to be reviewed by both the Race and Culture Unit and Standards and Practices.
CBS News' Racial Censorship: Race and Culture Unit Dictates Content
CBS News leadership informed staffers that Dokoupil's interview did not meet the network's editorial standards, citing his failure to follow the pre-approval process.
Critics argue that the Race and Culture Unit's vetting process stifles journalistic independence and undermines the free exchange of ideas. They fear it could lead to self-censorship and a distorted representation of certain issues.
The CBS website states that the Race and Culture Unit serves as a reviewer, incubator, producer, and library, with a primary focus on ensuring proper context, tone, and intention in news coverage.
CBS News has not publicly addressed the extent to which all stories require approval from the Race and Culture Unit, leaving questions about the scope of its influence on news content.
According to leaked audio, CBS News executives met with staffers to express concerns about Dokoupil's interview and the unit's role. Dokoupil reportedly expressed regret for the controversy but not for his line of questioning.
The New York Times reported that Dokoupil met with the standards and practices team and the Race and Culture Unit following the interview. This meeting suggests the unit's influence extends beyond its formal review process.
The controversy surrounding CBS News' Race and Culture Unit raises serious questions about journalistic freedom, censorship, and the role of diversity initiatives in shaping news coverage. The network's lack of transparency and accountability in this matter further undermines public trust in its reporting.
