CBS News Editor Saves Pro-Israel Reporter; Debora Patta Laid Off
Bari Weiss, the recently appointed editor in chief of CBS News, intervened to protect the job of a pro-Israel foreign correspondent facing layoffs, while Debora Patta was dismissed instead. Reports indicate that Weiss acted on behalf of a male correspondent who directly appealed to her, making a last-minute change to the layoff list just hours before it was finalized.
The insider information, as reported by the Independent, reveals that Weiss spared the unnamed correspondent, who had expressed concerns about being sidelined from coverage in Gaza due to his support for Israel. In contrast, Patta, a seasoned correspondent with over 12 years at CBS, found her name added to the layoff list unexpectedly, despite being assured of her job security just prior to the cuts.
Debora Patta, based in Johannesburg, has been a prominent figure in CBS News’ reporting from conflict zones, including Syria and Ukraine. Her dismissal comes after significant criticism from former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who accused her of misrepresenting his remarks during a sit-down interview. Huckabee claimed CBS News edited the conversation to present him as indifferent to humanitarian issues in Gaza. He later published the full transcript, arguing that key context was omitted.
Despite the controversy, colleagues have described Patta as a “fearless and fair” journalist known for her commitment to factual reporting. Just before her layoff, she signed a new three-year contract, highlighting her value to the network.
The layoffs at CBS News, affecting over 100 employees, mark Weiss’s first major decision since taking the helm. The cuts impacted multiple programs and included the closure of the Johannesburg bureau, with coverage now transitioning to London. A source within CBS indicated that planning for these reductions began months ago, emphasizing that such decisions were established prior to Weiss’s arrival.
Weiss, who joined CBS earlier in March 2024 after selling her media outlet The Free Press to Paramount Skydance, has not publicly commented on the layoffs. The network’s management has faced scrutiny over its coverage of Israel, a sensitive issue that has historically prompted internal conflict.
For instance, last year, CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil was reprimanded for challenging author Ta-Nehisi Coates during an interview regarding his critical views on Israel. This incident led to public support from then-Paramount CEO Shari Redstone for Dokoupil’s approach. In January, a segment on 60 Minutes raised questions about the US role in the ongoing conflict, further complicating the network’s relationship with its coverage of Israel.
As CBS News navigates these tumultuous changes, the implications of these layoffs and the editorial direction under Weiss remain to be seen. The network has declined to comment on the specifics of the layoffs or the circumstances surrounding Patta’s dismissal.
