Bari Weiss Faces Backlash Over CBS News Direction
The newly appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, Bari Weiss, has stirred controversy with her comments about Alan Dershowitz. She suggested that the veteran lawyer, known for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, embodies the kind of “charismatic” leader the network needs.
Weiss, who founded the anti-woke site Free Press, expressed her opinion during a panel at the Jewish Leadership Conference in New York earlier this month. She described a recent debate between Dershowitz and former NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch as a blueprint for her vision for the future of CBS.
“Right now, they hold starkly different views on the Second Amendment, but I think it’s crucial to demonstrate that they can engage in passionate disagreements and still respect each other at the end,” Weiss said.
She characterized both Dershowitz and Loesch as representing the “center-left and center-right,” claiming they resonate with the majority of Americans. In her opinion, other podcasters, like Hasan Piker and Tucker Carlson, do not reflect mainstream values.
Weiss has indicated that her goal is to return CBS to what she calls “normal,” clarifying that her aim isn’t to create a “centrist news” platform, which she believes has failed.
A former New York Times opinion editor equated “centrist news” to a forced, unpleasant experience. Rather, Weiss wants to rebuild trust in mainstream media by incorporating voices from various viewpoints.
However, critics have been quick to challenge her assertion that figures like Dershowitz could attract viewers to CBS.
“Kids are demanding Alan Dershowitz,” remarked one contributor. Some Twitter users found it hard to believe that showcasing celebrity defense attorneys would effectively connect with everyday news consumers.
“America is in a fever, and the only cure is more Dershowitz,” quipped a Vox commentator.
Another researcher noted how younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are actively seeking out Dershowitz’s clips on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Despite this, detractors like Glenn Greenwald highlighted that the viewership for the debate Weiss mentioned was embarrassingly low, attracting only 860 viewers within the first five hours.
“The example Bari Weiss cited as proof of her revitalization plans for CBS may not be as effective as she hopes,” Greenwald observed in a tweet.
Yet, some voices support Weiss’s vision for CBS News, which includes prominent figures like Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell. A Mediaite commentator noted that Weiss’s aim isn’t moderation but rather transparency. They argued that genuine debate among diverse worldviews could provide engaging, real dialogue for audiences.
Weiss was appointed to lead CBS in October by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who is looking to balance the network’s voices, even acquiring the Free Press for $150 million as part of this effort.
