Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America East, has criticized Emmy’s decision to pre-tape some of its award presentations for this September’s telecast, Daily Variety reports.

"The writers are the storytelling stars of television, and we are disappointed that the Academy chooses to diminish our members’ invaluable and essential contribution to the medium," said Winship in a statement. "We ask that they reconsider the decision for this and future Emmy broadcasts."

Patric Verrone, president of the WGA West, echoed those sentiments in a statement, as well, Variety reports.

"It is also a serious demotion for writing and a fundamental misunderstanding of the importance of writers in the creation of television programs,” said Verrone. “Last year’s Emmys suffered a tremendous decline in quality and ratings because of a lack of scripted material.”

–Sergio Ibarra