Thread by @rolandsmartin

This is the internal email share nationwide by CBS boss George Cheeks regarding the placement of Peter Dunn & David Friend on administrative leave: "CBS Stations Team – I know these have been a difficult few days. I wanted to reach out tonight with an update on a few 1/6

Important developments. Effective immediately, Stations President Peter Dunn and your Head of News David Friend have been placed on administrative leave pending an independent investigation of issues including those that were published in the recent Los Angeles Times stories. 2/6

Below is the statement that will be provided to the press. In addition, CBS Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Bryon Rubin will assume interim leadership of the Stations group. Bryon is very familiar with your business and ready to support your efforts. 3/6

I also wanted you to know that on Sunday evening, Marva Smalls, ViacomCBS’ Head of Global Inclusion, and I met with the leadership of the National Association of Black Journalists. We pledged to continue a dialogue with the NABJ on our best path forward. 4/6

Please know that you have my commitment – and that of ViacomCBS’ senior leadership – to foster and maintain a positive, inclusive and equitable workplace at Stations and across CBS. We have important work to do here. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values, goals and 5/6

programs are essential to our culture and our business success. Thank you for the incredible work you do every day for your viewers and for CBS.

George 6/6