Bari Weiss's Unconventional Leadership at CBS News Shakes Up the Institution

Bari Weiss, the recently appointed editor in chief of CBS News, has been injecting a new level of energy and ideas into the broadcast news division. Since her start date on October 6, Weiss has met with leading anchors and executives, impressing some and confounding others. Her unconventional leadership style has sparked uncertainty among the staff, who are accustomed to a more traditional approach.

Key Takeaways:

• Weiss has asked provocative questions, including one that left staff members at "60 Minutes" stunned, inquiring why the country thinks they are biased. This exchange has added to the uncertainty surrounding CBS News as the staff takes stock of Weiss's leadership.
• Weiss is unlike any broadcast news leader in recent memory, being an outspoken opinion journalist who has never worked in television. Her rise to the position was powered in part by critiquing the practices of old-line mass media like CBS.
• Weiss has expressed interest in booking big guests, including high-profile newsmakers, and has personally arranged for interviews with individuals like Hillary Clinton, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jared Kushner. This level of hands-on engagement is unusual for network leaders.
• The Free Press, a website co-founded by Weiss, has occasional ties with CBS News, with some journalists noting that the website has been one of the network's harshest critics. This raises questions about Weiss's ability to balance her responsibilities at CBS with her role at The Free Press.
• Weiss has complained about leaks in the newsroom, asking executives to identify the leakers. This concern for maintaining confidentiality raises questions about the network's commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Weiss plans to juggle her duties at CBS News with her editorial oversight of the network, despite her website's occasional criticism of CBS News.
• Weiss has proposed new ideas, including the creation of "60 Minutes"-branded live events, the relaxation of restrictions on contributors expressing their personal views, and embracing digital platforms.

Statistics:

• The Free Press, a website co-founded by Weiss, has been acquired by Paramount for roughly $150 million.
• In the two weeks since Weiss took the reins at CBS News, she has not promoted any articles or reporting from CBS News on her X account, which reaches 1.1 million followers.
• President Trump has sued "60 Minutes" over an interview with Kamala Harris, and the network has been unable to secure interviews with some prominent figures like Trump allies.
• CBS News has lagged its rivals ABC and NBC in Nielsen ratings, particularly on weekend programs like "60 Minutes".

Sources:

• This article is based on interviews with 10 people with knowledge of the inner workings of CBS News, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about internal conversations.
• Weiss declined to be interviewed.
• The New York Times: Weiss left the Opinion section in 2021 to co-found The Free Press.
• The Free Press: Published an internal CBS News editorial meeting and lambasted the network for a perceived anti-Israel bias.