Shocker: CBS lays off prominent FilAm journalist Elaine Quijano

Elaline Quijano

In a move that has sent shockwaves through newsrooms across the country, Elaine Quijano— the trailblazing Filipino American journalist who famously broke the glass ceiling as the first Asian American to moderate a national debate—has been purged from CBS News.

This wasn’t a standard corporate "restructuring"; it was a massacre. Under the new regime of Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and the Skydance-Paramount merger, the layoffs of Quijano and Houston-based reporter Karen Hua represent a calculated erasure of the very voices that once made the network a standard for inclusion.

Quijano, 52, wasn’t just a face on the screen; she was a pillar of Filipino American history and a role model for dozens of AANHPI journalists. She has been with CBS since 2010 and prior to joining the network she was a reporters for CNN.

In 2016, she stood on the debate stage between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, proving to every Pinoy kid watching that we belonged at the highest levels of American discourse. Before being sidelined by the network’s "anti-woke" pivot, she was a workhorse, anchoring CBSN Red & Blue and reporting from the White House.

But don't expect her to stay silent. Following the lead of other AAPI heavyweights like Justin MacFarlane, who recently jumped to the independent MeidasTouch network for "some independence," Quijano is reportedly eyeing the independent media space.

 The trend is clear: as corporate newsrooms turn right, the talent that built them is taking their audiences to platforms where they don't have to self-censor for a billionaire's agenda.

Community shocked

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and veteran newsmen aren't taking this sitting down. In a blistering response, the AAJA expressed "deep concern" over the loss of AANHPI leadership, noting that these cuts—which also saw the shuttering of the network's Race and Culture Unit—disproportionately silence underrepresented voices when they are needed most.

The optics of firing two high-profile AAPI women during a "conservative takeover" are, to put it mildly, disastrous, says AAJA in a statement. The organization expressed "deep concern" over the loss of AANHPI leadership, noting that these cuts disproportionately silence underrepresented voices at a time when they are needed most.

Social media has been flooded with tributes. Former colleagues described Quijano as a "mentor" and the "gold standard" for journalists of color. One fellow reporter noted, "Losing Elaine isn't just a loss for CBS; it's a loss for the truth."

Critics are pointing directly at the Weiss-Cibrowski leadership. Despite assurances from CBS leadership, the network's vaunted news department, including 60 Minutes, has lost credibility as a fact-based news outlet. By cutting seasoned correspondents like Quijano and environmental reporter Dave Malkoff, the network seems to be clearing the decks for a brand of "new media" that prioritizes ideology over the hard-earned credibility of the old guard.

CBS statement

“We recognize that this is a difficult time for those who will be leaving CBS News. Because these aren’t just names on a list," said the network in a statement to the remaining staff.

“They are talented, committed colleagues who have been critical to our success. We’ll treat them all with care and respect.

“It’s no secret that the news business is changing radically, and that we need to change along with it. New audiences are burgeoning in new places, and we are pressing forward with ambitious plans to grow and invest so that we can be there for them."

This new round of layoff affects 60-70 staff cements the network's catering to conservative views. The "new audiences" apparently means the far-right followers of Trump who prior to  Trump's election didn't watch network news.

The financial fallout

If Weiss thought a "conservative takeover" would save the network's bottom line, the early numbers are a cold shower. Six months into her tenure, CBS News is hitting historic lows.

• Ratings Collapse: CBS Evening News has plummeted below the critical 4 million viewer mark for the first time this century, averaging just 3.83 million viewers.

• Demographic Dive: The advertiser-coveted 25-54 demographic has cratered, dropping as much as 28% for CBS Mornings and 18% for the evening broadcast compared to last year.

• Audience Migration: While CBS loses viewers, rivals at ABC and NBC are seeing their audiences grow, suggesting a mass exodus of viewers who aren't buying the network's new "Trump-friendly" editorial direction.

View from the edge

CBS is owned by Skydance-Paramount headed by David Ellison, son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, one of Trump's biggest supporters.

Ellison's media empire includes: Paramount Pictures, CBS Entertainment Group, broadcasting networks (MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime), streaming services (Paramount+, Pluto TV), and Skydance’s animation, sports, and interactive gaming divisions.

On addition, the Ellisons are in the midst of buying Warner Brothers  Discovery for $110 billion. The deal is undergoing intense federal and state antitrust scrutiny. It is expected to take 6 to 18 months to officially close, pending tapproval by the Trump's regime.

If approved by the FCC, besides CBS, the Ellisons would also get CNN which has sparked intense debate over the control of national information. Lawmakers have specifically raised concerns about potential political influence over news editorial decisions.

Internal morale at CBS is reportedly in a "death spiral" as staffers watch nearly a century of prestige—including the now-shuttered CBS Radio—be dismantled in real-time. For the AANHPI community, the message is loud and clear: at the new CBS, diversity and experience aren't a strength—they are targets.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.