CBS News reportedly ordered its staff not to say that Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, is in Israel.
The Free Press reported Wednesday that Mark Memmott, senior director of standards and practices at CBS News, sent an email to all employees in late August saying they would not “talk or write about news” regarding the ongoing war between Israel. “Please be careful about some terms when doing so,” the report said. And Hamas.
His list of controversial terms also included “Jerusalem.”
“Please do not mention it is in Israel,” Memmott wrote, according to the Free Press.
CBS boss backs news network’s leadership after parent company chairman disapproves of Tony Dokoupil’s treatment
CBS News reported that employees were instructed not to refer to Jerusalem as “in Israel.” (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Yes, the U.S. embassy is there and the Trump administration has recognized it as Israel’s capital. However, that status is disputed,” Memmott continued. “The status of Jerusalem is at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel considers Jerusalem its ‘eternal and undivided’ capital, but Palestinians have no control over East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war,” It claims to be the capital of the “future state.” ”
CBS News’ Jerusalem guidance was slammed by critics on social media.
Free Press contributing editor Adam Rubenstein responded: “The Standards Desk is now *instructing* journalists to deny reality.”
“Jerusalem is not only in Israel, it’s the capital of Israel. What the hell is going on at CBS?” asked Fox News contributor Guy Benson.
“Then we can stop calling CBS employees journalists,” wrote David Harsanyi, a senior writer at the Washington Examiner.
CBS News did not immediately respond to FOX News Digital’s request for comment.
CBS’ Tony Dokoupil expresses regret to colleague ‘upset’ by tense exchange with anti-Israel writer: report
CBS News is facing turmoil over its handling of “CBS Morning” co-host Tony Dokoupil. (Getty Images)
The revelations are the latest in turmoil within CBS News, which last week reprimanded “CBS Morning” co-host Tony Dokoupil over his criticism of anti-Israel writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. It was announced during.
CBS executives reassured offended staffers that after an investigation they concluded the interview did not meet the company’s “editorial standards,” the Free Press, which obtained audio of the staff meeting, earlier reported. I let it happen.
A person familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that Dokoupil will not be punished for the interview, but the Jewish anchor was forced to meet with the station’s racial and cultural division after complaints. It was done.
According to the New York Times, the conversation during the interview “focused on Mr. Dokoupil’s tone of voice, phrasing, and body language.”
Jewish CBS anchor forced to meet with Bureau of Race and Culture after slamming pro-Palestinian writer: Report
Author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates was grilled by CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil for his views on Israel’s right to exist in an interview last week. (CBS/Screenshot)
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Others, like CBS News legal correspondent Jan Crawford (who stood in for him at a staff meeting) and Shari Redstone, chairman of CBS News’ parent company Paramount Global, have criticized the network’s handling of Dokoupil. “This is unfair treatment,” some people criticized, while others rallied to his defense. error. “However, CBS CEO George Cheeks released a memo supporting the news network’s leadership.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com and @JosephWulfsohn on Twitter.
