Bari Weiss Shifts Her Management Style Following “60 Minutes” Controversy
Bari Weiss has recently taken a closer look at her management approach after the fallout from a “60 Minutes” debacle, leading her to adopt a friendlier, more involved demeanor with her staff, according to reports.
Over the past few weeks, Weiss, aged 42, has initiated Friday editorial calls by recognizing team achievements and highlighting individual journalists who have excelled. Sources indicate that she’s been noting names in a notebook to give credit where it’s due.
This marks a shift from her earlier practice of mostly avoiding the newsroom, where she typically focused on delineating tasks rather than offering acknowledgment.
“She used to make no effort at all, but since the upheaval with ’60 Minutes,’ she’s become much nicer,” a source relayed to the Post.
This new, positive approach came in the wake of major personnel changes at CBS News, where the editor-in-chief let go several prominent figures, including seasoned correspondents like Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley.
In the aftermath of these changes, Weiss relocated from a second-floor office to a more secluded suite on the sixth floor of CBS Broadcast Center, which was reportedly restricted to outsiders.
While insiders insist this move was pre-planned, critics have suggested it was a defensive tactic aimed at keeping her away from her staff after the firings.
Despite this, Weiss has since opened her office doors, indicating a willingness to engage more with her team.
“Mr. Bari has undergone management training and likely received guidance to foster relationships with staff,” a CBS source mentioned, noting her previously distant demeanor.
CBS News has declined to comment on Weiss’s management style.
During this period of change, speculation regarding Weiss’s career trajectory has also emerged. Earlier in the year, she was seen as a key player in the potential leadership of CNN following a significant merger involving Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance. However, after the “60 Minutes” incident, there seems to be hesitance around her future at CNN.
“They no longer speak about CNN as if it’s a sure thing,” noted one insider.
This $110 billion media merger, expected to resolve later this year, would unite Paramount Pictures with notable news entities like CNN and CBS, among others.
Colleagues who know Weiss on a personal level describe her as charming and intelligent, yet many at CBS have noted they seldom see that side of her. Employees reported that she often kept them at a distance, mainly appearing to critique their coverage rather than connect.
Weiss’s drastic changes have overshadowed her leadership of CBS’s struggling news division and included the controversial closure of the long-standing CBS News radio division and the high-profile departure of Anderson Cooper.
Former “60 Minutes” correspondent Mr. Perry was dismissed after questioning why several of his colleagues were let go and why Weiss had hired Nick Bilton, who lacked significant television experience, to lead the program.
In a previous meeting, Perry criticized Weiss’s qualifications, claiming she was damaging “60 Minutes.”
Earlier this spring, Weiss sparked controversy when she pressured Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to choose between veteran correspondent Leslie Stahl and Washington correspondent Major Garrett for an interview, infuriating Stahl, who had been pursuing it for months.
Despite these upheavals, the 84-year-old Stahl opted to continue with the network, preparing for the next season even shortly after Perry’s firing.
