CBS News Chief Bari Weiss Disinvited From UCLA Journalism Lecture

Weiss's planned talk on the 'future of journalism' was canceled amid controversy over her leadership at the network.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News, had been scheduled to deliver a lecture on the 'future of journalism' at the University of California, Los Angeles as part of a memorial series honoring journalist Daniel Pearl. However, the event was canceled after facing backlash from the grassroots organization CODEPINK, which called Weiss's selection as a speaker 'shameful' due to her perceived alignment with the Trump administration and controversial decisions made during her tenure at CBS.

Why it matters

Weiss's invitation to speak at the prestigious UCLA event had sparked criticism, with CODEPINK and others accusing her of aligning with the Trump administration and making controversial decisions as CBS News chief, including the last-minute cancellation of a 60 Minutes segment critical of conditions at an El Salvador prison where deported Venezuelan men were held. The cancellation of Weiss's lecture reflects the ongoing turmoil at CBS News under her leadership.

The details

The lecture, which was part of a memorial series honoring journalist Daniel Pearl, was scheduled for February 27. However, a notice posted on the UCLA website announced the event's cancellation and stated that ticket holders would receive a full refund. Prior to the cancellation, CODEPINK had protested Weiss's planned appearance, calling it 'shameful' and urging people to demand the event's cancellation. An unnamed source told The Wrap that the event would be rescheduled to an unspecified date.

  • The lecture was scheduled for February 27, 2026.
  • The cancellation notice was posted on a UCLA website.

The players

Bari Weiss

The 41-year-old editor-in-chief of CBS News, who has faced criticism for her perceived alignment with the Trump administration and controversial decisions made during her tenure at the network.

CODEPINK

A grassroots organization that protested Weiss's planned appearance at the UCLA event, calling her selection as a speaker 'shameful'.

Daniel Pearl

A journalist whose death at the hands of militants in Karachi made him a symbol of press freedom, and whom the lecture series at UCLA was meant to honor.

Anderson Cooper

A former speaker in the lecture series at UCLA.

Sharyn Alfonsi

A 60 Minutes correspondent who reported on the grisly conditions at an El Salvador megaprison where Venezuelan men deported by President Donald Trump were held, a segment that Weiss canceled at the last minute.

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The takeaway

The cancellation of Weiss's lecture at UCLA reflects the ongoing turmoil and controversy surrounding her leadership of CBS News, as the network faces declining viewership, staff departures, and criticism over her perceived political alignment and decision-making.