UCLA Cancels Bari Weiss Lecture Amid Protests and Security Concerns

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has canceled the upcoming Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture featuring Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News and co-founder of The Free Press. Scheduled for February 27, 2025, the lecture was intended to address “The Future of Journalism.” According to sources, the cancellation occurred after Weiss’ team withdrew from the event, citing security concerns despite UCLA's offer for additional security measures. The university's Burkle Center for International Relations, which hosts the lecture series, had anticipated significant protests from students and faculty opposed to Weiss’ participation.

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The Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture honors journalist Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002. The series has previously featured notable figures such as Jake Tapper, Anderson Cooper, and Bob Woodward. The decision to invite Weiss drew criticism from various activist groups, particularly CodePink, which accused her of promoting views inconsistent with the values of the lecture series. A petition demanding the cancellation of Weiss’ appearance garnered nearly 11,000 signatures.

Jewish Journal

Opposition to Weiss’ lecture has been vocal, with critics labeling her a “mouthpiece for the White House” and questioning her journalistic integrity. CodePink specifically condemned her for her handling of a controversial “60 Minutes” episode regarding deportees sent to an El Salvador prison, which Weiss initially pulled from airing. Critics argued that her alignment with the Trump administration and her recent decisions at CBS News reflect a departure from the values associated with the Daniel Pearl Lecture Series.

The Wrap

While UCLA has not provided detailed comments regarding the cancellation, an associate director from the Burkle Center indicated that Weiss might still deliver the lecture via Zoom at a later date. CBS News has not commented on the situation or the potential rescheduling of the lecture. Weiss has faced scrutiny amid broader organizational challenges at CBS, including impending layoffs affecting approximately 15% of the staff, which are part of her efforts to revamp the network.

LA Times

The future of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture remains uncertain, with plans for a rescheduled date yet to be announced. As the situation develops, it is unclear how Weiss’ leadership at CBS News will influence her public engagements and the ongoing discourse surrounding her journalistic practices.

The Wrap

• “This is shameful, especially because Weiss has recently aligned herself with the Trump administration by attempting to cover up the fact that ICE agents are sending Venezuelan migrants to a torture center in El Salvador,” — CodePink

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• “Weiss has created a career writing opinions that hold no journalistic integrity, which do not reflect the values of the Daniel Pearl Lecture Series at the Burkle Center.” — CodePink

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• “Nobody wanted to hear Weiss play a funeral march for a couple hours,” — Anonymous online critic

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