Writers Guild of America East President Tom Fontana sharply criticizes Paramount-owned CBS News following a series of personnel changes, calling them “cruel and needless layoffs” and evidence of “profound contempt for the journalism profession.” In a letter to members, Fontana targets multiple actions reported by outlets, including CBS News’ firing of “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley and additional firings at the newsmagazine. The union also objects to the shutdown of CBS News Radio, which Fontana describes as part of broader cuts affecting the organization’s journalism operations.
Both sources report that Fontana frames the decisions as harmful to CBS News’ institutional role and to the work of media professionals represented by the union. The statements come as CBS News carries out restructuring that reduces staff and eliminates certain platforms tied to its radio programming. The reports focus on the union’s response rather than detailing CBS News’ rationale for the layoffs or firings.
