Bari Weiss, long known for her provocative and often unorthodox views within the journalistic establishment, has found a new professional home. The seasoned writer and editor, who built her reputation as a sharp critic of institutional conformity and groupthink, has been appointed editor-in-chief of the venerable CBS News—a media institution steeped in history and synonymous with traditional broadcast journalism. This transition represents a striking convergence of two very different worlds: Weiss, a figure of the independent journalistic movement, and CBS, a legacy media giant seeking to redefine its voice in an era of accelerating digital transformation.
The appointment follows a bold and strategic acquisition by David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance, which not only brought Weiss on board but also purchased *The Free Press*, the center-right and free-speech-oriented media outlet she founded after her departure from *The New York Times* opinion section. Paramount’s announcement came early Monday, underscoring that this editorial role—newly created within CBS News—will report directly to Ellison himself. Yet crucial details remain uncertain: observers within the industry note ambiguity around Weiss’s daily influence in the newsroom, the hierarchy of staff who will answer to her, and the extent to which she will maintain oversight over *The Free Press* as it continues its independent operations.
Paramount emphasized in its statement that *The Free Press* will continue to function autonomously, preserving its own brand identity, editorial independence, and diverse portfolio of reportage, podcasts, video programming, and live events. Nevertheless, the corporate marriage between a traditional news institution and a contrarian digital platform has sparked noticeable unease among certain CBS insiders. According to reporting by *Business Insider*, five current and former employees of both CBS News and Paramount expressed hesitation regarding Ellison’s decision, voicing concern that Weiss’s arrival might deepen internal divisions or politicize the newsroom’s editorial culture.
Tensions were already palpable across the organization after Paramount’s recent $16 million settlement of former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against *60 Minutes* in July—a case that unsettled many within CBS’s journalistic ranks. For some staffers, the timing of Weiss’s hiring appears to amplify those anxieties, raising fears that political considerations could seep more deeply into editorial decision-making. As one senior CBS journalist bluntly stated, the sentiment among rank-and-file staff could be summarized as disbelief: “This can’t be happening.” The same insider expressed skepticism over Weiss’s fit for the role, noting her lack of experience in television production despite her formidable background at *The Wall Street Journal* and *The New York Times*. Interestingly, others pointed out that Weiss is not alone in crossing from print to broadcast leadership—NBC News President Rebecca Blumenstein likewise rose to prominence through the same two newspapers without formal TV experience.
Still, not everyone within the company views Weiss’s appointment with apprehension. One CBS News reporter took an optimistic stance, suggesting that Ellison’s decision to create an editor-in-chief position could signal a strategic shift toward digital-first journalism—an increasingly necessary pivot as the broadcast audience continues to contract. Yet, this individual also questioned whether Weiss possesses the requisite expertise to navigate the complex interplay between traditional broadcast formats and emerging digital platforms.
Rick Edmonds, a respected media analyst at the non-profit Poynter Institute, described Weiss’s selection as “an unusual choice” to helm CBS News. He observed that while CBS has historically leaned toward the center and avoided overt partisanship, its credibility has eroded across the political spectrum: Pew Research Center data shows that fewer than one in four Republicans trust the network, while Democrats regard it less favorably than its major competitors. Within this context, bringing in a figure like Weiss—who is unabashedly opinionated and often resistant to corporate orthodoxy—introduces both opportunity and risk.
A former *60 Minutes* producer, who left earlier in 2024, offered further insight into the cultural divide this move may trigger. CBS News, the veteran explained, prides itself on hierarchy and institutional continuity. Its newsroom culture is steeped in process, legacy, and rigorous editorial frameworks. Weiss, by contrast, is known for challenging consensus and “going rogue” on divisive subjects, particularly those concerning geopolitics and social commentary, such as Israel’s military operations in Gaza. “How,” the former producer asked, “can she build trust among journalists whose ethos is rooted in structure and tradition?”
Although *The Free Press* is viewed as friendly to conservative perspectives, both the outlet and Weiss herself have repeatedly criticized right-wing figures, including Donald Trump, and condemned moves like the FCC’s reported pressure on local ABC affiliates to sideline Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night program. As Edmonds observed, “If CBS wanted someone adored by the MAGA audience, Weiss isn’t that person.”
Media analyst Alan Wolk, co-founder of TV research company TVREV, went a step further, arguing that Weiss’s divisiveness stems precisely from her refusal to align neatly with partisan identities. “She’s demonized by both sides,” Wolk remarked, suggesting that her independence—while potentially alienating to die-hards in either camp—could provide CBS with a uniquely credible voice amid today’s polarized media landscape.
This hiring comes on the heels of another controversial internal move: Ellison’s addition of Kenneth Weinstein, a right-leaning ombudsman tasked with monitoring editorial bias. To some industry observers, placing Weiss in a leadership role alongside Weinstein could reshape public perception of CBS News, possibly giving it an ideological reorientation. Yet, opinions differ sharply about whether this diversification of viewpoints will benefit the network’s reputation or further fracture its audience. As TV industry consultant Cathy Rasenberger previously cautioned, network news organizations rarely manage to expand their audiences by embracing highly divergent editorial perspectives; such experiments often alienate existing viewers without sufficiently attracting new ones.
Others, however, remain hopeful. Former ABC News anchor Terry Moran expressed optimism at the prospect of fresh intellectual diversity within CBS. “Viewpoint diversity will make things better,” he said, emphasizing that mainstream journalism has long suffered from a “monoculture” of opinion and a “monothink” mentality resistant to dissent. For a legacy network grappling with waning trust and shifting demographics, Moran suggested, Weiss’s contrarian intellect could serve as a much-needed destabilizing force—one that challenges complacency and invites genuine plurality.
The retired *60 Minutes* staffer echoed this sentiment, noting that Weiss’s proven acumen for building engaged digital audiences—through podcasts, newsletters, and independent media ventures—could reinvigorate CBS’s relevance in a rapidly evolving marketplace. “That’s probably a good thing,” they said, “if the network hopes to stay alive and meaningful in a changing media ecosystem.”
Ultimately, while the decision to place Bari Weiss at the editorial helm carries undeniable risk, it has already achieved what many corporate arms of CBS have struggled to accomplish in recent years: a surge of public attention and vigorous debate. The move has reignited discussion around CBS News’s direction and values—bringing, as Wolk aptly put it, “brilliant publicity” to a network that has largely lingered under the shadow of its *60 Minutes* legal troubles. In the high-stakes arena of modern broadcast journalism, even controversy can be currency, and Ellison’s gamble suggests he’s betting that disruption—not continuity—might be CBS News’s most powerful tool for reinvention.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/bari-weiss-cbs-news-paramount-david-ellison-the-free-press-2025-10
