There’s a lot of chatter among liberals about Bari Weiss, an independent journalist, possibly stepping into a significant role at CBS News. Reports suggest that David Ellison, the new CEO of Paramount, is close to acquiring Weiss’ online platform, The Free Press, and is contemplating placing her in a key editorial position within CBS.
Weiss, once a classic liberal, left the New York Times in 2020 after enduring bullying from former associates. Since then, she has become somewhat of a pariah among the cultural left, particularly for her viewpoints that challenge the prevailing narratives around issues like gender ideology and media perspectives on Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Oliver Darcy, who authors the Status Newsletter, expressed concern about the reported deal, stating that the proposed amounts—between $100 million and $200 million—are quite excessive. He pointed out that Ellison has pledged to avoid politicizing Paramount, yet his first major move seems to lean heavily on someone as divisive as Weiss, which might raise suspicions about Ellison’s true intentions.
Darcy warned that such a strategy risks further eroding trust among CBS listeners, who value historical accuracy and integrity. He argued that this direction could compromise the network’s credibility significantly.
Meanwhile, reactions to the potential acquisition have been mixed. Some conservatives and critics of mainstream media welcome Weiss’ leadership as a much-needed overhaul, while liberals and anti-Israel commentators have denounced the move.
Comments from various figures underscore the polarized reactions. For instance, former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz remarked on the resilience of right-leaning economic models, while progressive Twitch personality Hasan Piker sarcastically commented about CBS becoming a haven for pro-Israel voices. Other liberal commentators, like Jill Filipovich, shared screenshots to underscore their skepticism about the alignment between CBS News and Weiss’ approach.
Despite the controversy, CBS and Paramount have not commented on the issue, nor has The Free Press responded to inquiries. It’s an interesting moment to watch—how this will all unfold could reshape the narrative landscape within mainstream media.
