Bari Weiss recently caught the attention of “60 Minutes” staff during a private meeting by questioning why there’s a widespread perception of bias associated with the show. This reflects the new CBS News head’s proactive approach to reshaping the network.
Weiss apparently “surprised senior staff” with his probing questions, as reported by three attendees in midtown Manhattan. The exchange was described as “surprisingly awkward,” according to reports.
This moment came not long after he took on the role of editor-in-chief, shedding light on the internal challenges faced by America’s most-watched news magazine while staff members assessed their new leader’s unique style.
At 41, Weiss has no prior television experience. He is the outspoken founder of Free Press, a digital platform recently acquired by CBS parent company Paramount Skydance for around $150 million. His mission, as outlined by billionaire owner David Ellison, is to create a network characterized by “rigorous” and “fact-based” journalism.
Weiss has already sparked tension among CBS executives by expressing concerns over internal leaks of sensitive information, urging them to find the culprits, according to sources.
During a conference call on October 9, he encouraged his team to be “more aggressive” in recruitment, noting he had managed to secure interviews with three former secretaries of state for a special segment on Middle East peace. However, only Hillary Rodham Clinton participated; Antony Blinken and Mike Pompeo were absent.
Weiss also directed attention toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pressured “60 Minutes” producers to feature Trump associates Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on the upcoming show. His hands-on technique reportedly unsettled newsrooms, where high-level management typically stays out of production decisions.
In his initial week, he told producers, “I love winning,” showcasing a drive that surprised some at CBS amidst an already tense atmosphere.
Employees have characterized the network’s culture as a “snake pit,” with long-time producers resistant to change, leading to concerns about Weiss’s future due to ongoing leaks.
Not long after moving into the role, Weiss faced internal pushback. The Writers Guild of America informed its members that they would not be penalized for disregarding his request for details on their daily tasks and recent projects.
Weiss’s first weeks were filled with upheaval and shifts in personnel. Claudia Milne, who led standards and practices and was often seen as embodying a “woke” agenda, resigned last Thursday, marking the first senior executive departure under Weiss’s leadership.
On that same day, former President Donald Trump commended Ellison and Weiss during a CNN interview, expressing hope that CBS’s leadership would skew “fairer.” Trump mentioned they would return CBS to its “former glory.”
Ellison, who recently oversaw the $8.4 billion merger of Paramount and Skydance, has committed to restoring balance within CBS News to address regulatory scrutiny regarding perceived liberal biases.
In memos to staff, he indicated that Weiss would focus on “rigorous, fact-based reporting” and emphasized the importance of amplifying diverse voices. Weiss’s involvement has already led to noticeable changes, including discussions in CBS meetings about the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire and advocating for the inclusion of Kushner and Witkoff in programming.
A source stated, “This is the first time she’s really been involved,” reflecting a shift in the production dynamic. The Post has reached out to CBS News for further comments.
