Katie Couric Critiques CBS News’ New Direction

Katie Couric recently voiced her concerns regarding CBS News’ decision to place Bari Weiss in charge of editorial operations. Speaking at a gala in New York, the former anchor of CBS Evening News remarked that this shift could “undermine independent journalism.” She pointed out that the involvement of David Ellison in this process poses a significant threat to journalistic integrity.

This statement, noted first in the Status Newsletter, came in response to a question from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd about a deal where Ellison would have Weiss’ Free Press newsletter operating directly under him and revamp CBS News’ editorial strategy.

According to reports, last month marked the first time it was revealed that Weiss would be circumventing CBS’s traditional management framework, opting instead to report straight to Ellison.

While Couric expressed her hopes for Weiss to thrive in this new role, she also cautioned that this setup grants Ellison excessive authority over CBS News. There may be concerns among staff about whether this will lead to a more homogenized editorial slant across CBS News and the Free Press, especially amidst the reshuffling following Paramount’s acquisition of Skydance.

The uncertainty surrounding the direction of CBS News is further complicated by Ellison’s interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, which potentially has ramifications for CNN as well.

“These are really dangerous times,” Couric said, emphasizing that the protections previously in place to shield newsrooms from corporate meddling are steadily diminishing. Reflecting on her earlier experiences at NBC News, she mentioned that executives once honored the “unwritten rule” of separating editorial decisions from ownership influence.

This shift in media ownership dynamics, as Couric argued, is troubling, especially as companies face various pressures—political, regulatory, and otherwise. The notion that ownership could apply pressure on journalists is a significant concern for her.

Couric’s critique aligns with the recent changes Weiss has begun implementing at CBS News. Although still new to the role, she has already appointed Charles Forell from the Wall Street Journal as a deputy editor, a move that reportedly took CBS News President Tom Cybrowski by surprise.

Weiss has also taken steps to assert her vision for the network, having forced the resignation of Claudia Milne, a longtime standards chief. Additionally, she’s been scrutinizing the editorial tone of shows like “60 Minutes,” questioning staff about any political bias and looking to diversify guest appearances.

Changes for “60 Minutes” are on the horizon too, as there appears to be internal discussions about the show’s perceived political leanings. Veteran correspondents Scott Pelley and Bill Whitaker might be facing reassessment as questions arise over the show’s direction.

A source within CBS commented that while it’s reasonable for Weiss to seek new talent, it’s worth noting that much of the audience and the correspondents themselves are older viewers.