Potential Changes at CBS News with Bari Weiss Joining

CBS News might be facing a significant editorial shift as Bari Weiss, the founder of Free Press, is expected to join the network. This development has garnered mixed reactions—curiosity, concern, and a hint of optimism—among staff members.

It’s been suggested that David Ellison, the new CEO of Paramount, has a keen interest in Weiss and her organization, Free Press. This speculation follows her departure from the New York Times in 2020, which was quite dramatic. Dylan Byers from Puck reported that a general agreement between both parties regarding the transition has been reached.

Weiss is known for promoting the idea that traditional media often gets bogged down by liberal groupthink. Her arrival is sure to create quite a buzz—Puck has mentioned that it could lead to some pushback within the newsroom, yet not all CBS employees seem overly concerned.

One CBS staffer noted, “Perhaps we’ll see a more open environment for ideas. Honestly, there’s no fear here.” There’s a sense of cautious hope as the team waits to see how her leadership could alter the landscape. A second CBS employee mentioned internal discussions happening, but expressed uncertainty about what Weiss’s joining will actually entail.

Employees are aware that CBS’s evening and morning newscasts have struggled recently, finishing behind ABC and NBC. “I’m not too familiar with her work, but if she can help us draw more viewers, that could be positive,” said another staff member.

CBS News opted not to comment, and there’s been no response from Paramount or Free Press as of yet.

Weiss became well-known after she resigned from the New York Times, delivering a powerful letter that criticized the toxic work environment there. She accused her colleagues of bullying and described her experience as a “condemned environment.” In her resignation, she expressed frustration that it should require courage to identify as a centrist in American journalism.

After starting the “Common Sense” newsletter in 2021, she rebranded it as Free Press, turning it into a full-fledged media organization by 2022, which recently boasted around 155,000 subscribers and was valued at approximately $100 million.

Some CBS staff are enthusiastic about Weiss’s track record. One employee praised her for “accomplishing something remarkable” at Free Press and expressed hope that she could bring strong media criticism into CBS News. However, not everyone shares this sentiment, as concerns are raised about the potential backlash, particularly surrounding the coverage of Israel and Gaza.

“I’m really not thrilled about this move,” one staff member voiced. Another expressed that taking editorial guidance from Weiss might be a difficult adjustment.

Ellison appears focused on restoring CBS News’s reputation—he visited the network’s New York City headquarters shortly after taking over last month. During his visit, he attended editorial meetings and met with executives, including “60 Minutes” producer Tanya Simon.

There’s some skepticism about Weiss’s ability to navigate CBS’s existing dynamics. A seasoned network producer from a competitor stated Weiss might find the veteran CBS staff challenging. “If she thinks the New York Times had its issues, she might be in for a surprise at CBS,” the producer remarked.

Ellison has yet to appoint a long-term director for CBS News and has not commented on the ongoing chatter about Weiss’s arrival. However, the current CBS News president, Tom Chibrovsky, has been mentioned in relation to Ellison’s plans, especially since Chibrovsky recently joined the company.

Chibrovsky’s relationship with Wendy McMahon, the former CBS News president who was let go before Ellison’s takeover, was also noted. McMahon pointed out divergent views on the future direction of the company just before her exit.

This situation at CBS follows a rocky period, including a settlement regarding a lawsuit from Donald Trump related to a “60 Minutes” piece and the recent cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The network’s path forward seems more uncertain than ever.