Susan Zirinsky Returns to Exec Role at CBS News as Network Tackles “Perceived Bias”

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Previously serving as CBS News president, Susan Zirinsky will rejoin her role as interim executive editor within the news division.

On Monday evening, CBS Chief Executive Officer George Cheeks confirmed that Zirinsky, who is fondly called “Z” within CBS, has been assigned a role. In addition to this new position, she will remain in charge of the documentary division, See it Now Studios.

This version maintains the original meaning while providing a more conversational tone and simplified sentence structure.

Wendy McMahon, head of CBS News and Stations, is on a hunt for an executive editor who can guarantee that our coverage of complex matters will be balanced and truthful, by providing the necessary knowledge, tools, and supervision.

Or,

Wendy McMahon, leader of CBS News and Stations, is seeking an executive editor to make sure we have the right skills, resources, and oversight for covering tough issues fairly and accurately.

He observed that intricate, contentious news topics such as the conflict in Gaza can often be difficult to handle. An interview led by CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil, in fact, gained widespread attention and prompted a reaction from Shari Redstone, who holds significant shares in Paramount.

On Monday, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement expressing criticism towards a 60 Minutes statement, labeling it as “unbalanced” and “favoring Israel.

On Monday, Cheeks penned that although it’s impossible to tackle such delicate matters without encountering some level of criticism, it is our duty to confront these issues head-on. This encompasses remarks about apparent bias in certain CBS News broadcasts. We must not let such issues tarnish our reputation or hinder our progress, undermine our purpose or our bond with our audience.

As a gamer, I’ve transitioned from my previous role as the executive producer of the news magazine “48 Hours” at CBS News, a position I held for quite some time. In 2021, after two years as CBS News president, I decided to step down. Now, I am steering See It Now Studios, a content studio within the company, where I produce news, documentaries, and non-fiction programming for CBS, Paramount+, and various other platforms.

Some of the documentaries produced by Zirinsky cover topics such as John Lewis, the events of 9/11, the tragic Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017, and the unrest that occurred in Ferguson in 2014.

Lately, Zirinsky created a documentary titled “We Will Dance Again“, which employs a firsthand, real-time narrative style to depict the Hamas terror attack that occurred at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Read Cheeks’ memo, below.

CBS News Team —

In this swiftly changing media landscape, it’s essential that news outlets promptly and skillfully provide well-balanced, precise, impartial, and up-to-date coverage, even for intricate and delicate matters such as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

CBS News acknowledges the gravity of the task at hand. While it’s impossible to tackle such delicate subjects without attracting some level of critique, we recognize the need to address any valid concerns, including allegations of bias in certain CBS News broadcasts. We can’t allow these criticisms to tarnish our reputation or jeopardize our future, our purpose, or our bond with our audience.

Wendy and her team are looking for a new Executive Editor who will work within our news division. This person’s role will be to ensure we have the necessary skills, tools, and supervision to tackle complex issues with fairness and honesty. The standards team will report directly to this new position.

We’ve temporarily assigned the position of Executive Editor to Susan Zirinsky, a name you may recognize, as we carry out our search for a permanent fit.

George

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2025-01-14 18:54