CBS News announces diversity program

CBS NEWS ANNOUNCES NEW PROGRAM TO RECRUIT AND DEVELOP

PROMISING JOURNALISTS OF COLOR

Diversity Initiative in Partnership with CBS Affiliates Launches in January 2005

CBS News will sponsor and implement a unique program to identify and support promising journalists of color, it was announced today by Andrew Heyward, President, CBS News.

The program, which will begin in January 2005, is designed to develop a pool of highly qualified producers and correspondents from which CBS affiliates and stations, as well as CBS News, will be able to draw talent.

“This program is a significant step towards a goal we share with CBS stations across the country: even greater diversity in the newsroom,” said Heyward. “By identifying up-and-coming producers and reporters of color and providing them with new opportunities, we hope to offer these rising stars a meaningful experience that helps their careers and also helps us.”

CBS News will work with CBS affiliates and minority journalist organizations to gather recommendations and will conduct screenings at minority journalist conventions to identify candidates for the program, each of whom should have a minimum two years professional experience. Applications will consist of a resume, a tape and recommendations. A committee comprised of CBS News executives and executive producers, CBS NEWSPATH executives, and CBS News’ Director of Recruitment will select and interview the finalists for the program.

Two journalists, one producer and one reporter, will be selected each year for the program. CBS News will hire the journalists to work for two years at participating CBS affiliates. The journalists will be placed in strong newsrooms with a commitment to mentoring and enthusiasm for the project. Each participating affiliate will be involved in approving the candidate for its own newsroom. At the end of two years, the goal is for the journalists to join CBS News.