Liberal journalists react strongly after Bari Weiss takes on the role of editor-in-chief at CBS News.

Bari Weiss Appointed Editor-in-Chief of CBS News Amid Controversy

Bari Weiss’s new role as editor-in-chief of CBS News triggered a significant backlash online, particularly from liberal journalists and media professionals.

Weiss, who made headlines for leaving the New York Times in 2020 due to what she called an “illiberal environment,” founded her own media company, Free Press, in 2022. She was appointed to her new position on Monday after Paramount acquired Free Press for $150 million.

Her past reporting has drawn criticism from the cultural left, especially regarding issues like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), gender ideology, and her views surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Many in liberal media expressed outrage over her promotion to such a significant position, arguing that Weiss lacked the qualifications for the role and that her editorial choices could tarnish CBS News’s credibility. For instance, MSNBC host Chris Hayes suggested on social media that Weiss’s credentials were akin to those of controversial figures like Vice President J.D. Vance.

Others, such as Andrew Lawrence from Media Matters, took to social media to ridicule her appointment, while New York Times columnist Jamel Bouyer pointed out that Weiss had previously failed to fire people in her career yet now led CBS News, likening it to Michael Jordan’s unexpected moves.

Weiss’s critics, including Phil Lewis from HuffPost, claimed her recruitment signals a shift in the media’s alignment toward the right. Some even labeled CBS’s decision a step back to a “Vichy era.” Patrick Redford, a staff member at Defector, described Weiss’s impact as damaging to the media landscape.

Slate Magazine echoed the concerns, predicting that Weiss’s acquisition could lead to a significant shift in CBS’s stance, with readers fearing an increase in pro-Israel sentiment and escalating tensions on the left.

Internal reactions at CBS News included disappointment and worry. One reporter expressed feelings of melancholy about Weiss’s arrival, describing it as an end of sorts.

Reports about the deal surfaced earlier, igniting debate among journalists. Oliver Darcy, a former CNN member, warned that trust in CBS News might be further compromised now that Weiss—a figure known for her polarizing political comments—assumes a central role. Many are apprehensive that this move may conflict with the CEO David Ellison’s promises to avoid politicizing Paramount.

Despite the criticism, Ellison expressed confidence that Weiss’s entrepreneurial spirit and editorial vision would benefit CBS News. He stated that she would report directly to him and collaborate with the CBS team to foster a trusted news environment for viewers.