CBS News is facing backlash after an internal memo instructed journalists not to refer to Jerusalem as part of Israel, igniting criticism from media figures and raising concerns about journalistic integrity. The memo, sent by CBS News senior director of standards Mark Memmott in late August, emphasized the disputed status of Jerusalem, despite its recognition as Israel’s capital by the US government.
This directive, alongside internal tensions sparked by an interview conducted by CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil on anti-Israel perspectives, has fueled controversy both within CBS and across the media landscape.
Memmott’s email advised CBS News staff to avoid saying Jerusalem is in Israel, noting that “the status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” While the US embassy is in Jerusalem, and the Trump administration formally recognized it as Israel’s capital in 2017, the memo emphasized that its status is disputed. Israel considers Jerusalem its “eternal and undivided” capital, while Palestinians claim East Jerusalem—captured by Israel during the 1967 war—as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
The directive sparked outrage across social media and among journalists. Adam Rubenstein, contributing editor at The Free Press, stated, “Standards desks are now instructing journalists to deny reality.” Fox News contributor Guy Benson responded, “Jerusalem is not only in Israel, it is the capital of Israel. What on earth is happening at CBS?” Washington Examiner senior writer David Harsanyi added, “Then we can stop referring to CBS employees as journalists.”
The US Congress recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 1995 with the passage of the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act. Former President Donald Trump further solidified the US stance by formally recognizing the city as Israel’s capital in 2017. CBS News has not yet responded to the controversy surrounding the memo.