Bari Weiss Outlines Plans for CBS News amid Controversy
On Tuesday, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss shared her ambitions for the beleaguered news organization, emphasizing a desire to extend its reach beyond just television. She also addressed allegations that she felt compelled to air a contentious “60 Minutes” segment last month.
During a town hall with CBS staff, Weiss clarified that neither the Trump administration nor her superior, David Ellison, the CEO of parent company Paramount Skydance, pressured her to cancel a segment focused on the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador.
“I want to make it clear: I was not under any pressure from David Ellison or anyone else,” Weiss stated firmly during a behind-closed-doors Q&A at CBS News’ Broadcast Center in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.
According to records from City Hall accessed by the Post, the only dialogue she had with Ellison before joining CBS revolved around “fairness.”
Weiss asserted that he had seen “absolutely” nothing about the CECOT segment prior to its airing.
The ongoing competitive landscape between Paramount and Netflix, particularly regarding the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, has cast a shadow over Weiss’ leadership at CBS News.
Paramount has been attempting to thwart Netflix’s bid for the media giant since experiencing a setback last year. The White House has shown support for Paramount’s CEO, along with his father, billionaire Larry Ellison, a significant backer of Trump.
In a leaked memo, “60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi claimed that Weiss’ choice to set aside coverage of CECOT was driven by political motives, with the segment concluding its run earlier this month after some revisions.
At the town hall, Weiss said she aims to “earn their trust” as she works to reshape CBS News.
“I’m not here to ask for your trust; I’m going to earn it, as well as that of my audience,” she conveyed, noting she was brought on to modernize CBS News for the current era.
Weiss pointed out, “We need to look at ourselves honestly. We’re not producing content that enough people are interested in.”
For the network to succeed, she indicated a need to stop functioning like a “fiefdom,” hinting at her past roles within various CBS news programs.
“60 Minutes” has traditionally operated independently, focusing solely on an executive producer who managed the show and kept elements under wraps until broadcasting.
As previously mentioned, Weiss is working to alter the longstanding culture of the program. She expressed a desire to take the “60 Minutes” brand beyond its Sunday night slot.
Those familiar with Weiss’ background noted that her vision might encompass live events and podcasting, following her sale of her previous venture, The Free Press, to Paramount for $150 million when she joined CBS News last year.
She explained plans to enhance the network’s coverage across various platforms, sharing an example of a story that transitioned from CBSNews.com and YouTube to “Evening News” and “CBS Mornings,” and finally, to a more comprehensive feature on “60 Minutes.”
“We create opportunities and capitalize on them,” she stated, highlighting that “transforming” the industry requires reshaping the workforce.
While Weiss did not disclose how many layoffs might occur after about 100 CBS News staff members were let go in October, she mentioned the need for more “revealing journalism” and a focus on investigative reports rather than merely monetizing journalism through paywalls.
She plans to closely collaborate with CBS News President Tom Cybrowski, Executive Vice President of Editorial and Bureau Wendy Fisher, Editor-in-Chief Charles Forell, Associate Editor Adam Rubenstein, and Executive Vice President of Coverage Terry Stewart.
Weiss confirmed she had added 19 new contributors, including conservative historian Sir Niall Ferguson and podcasters Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia, alongside technology and China expert Patrick McGee, who contributes to her prior venture, The Free Press.
Other new contributors consist of chef Claire de Boer, physician Mark Hyman, author Caroline Chambers, Casey Lewis from Substack discussing youth culture trends, and former National Security Advisor HR McMaster.
