Bari Weiss's Unconventional Leadership at CBS News Creates Uncertainty

Bari Weiss's appointment as the new editor in chief of CBS News has sent shockwaves throughout the organization, with some staff members expressing hope and others concern about her unconventional leadership style. As the first person to leave The New York Times' Opinion section to start her own publication, The Free Press, Weiss has been a vocal critic of old-line mass media, including CBS. Her recent meeting with the staff of "60 Minutes" was marked by a provocative question about why the country thinks the show is biased, leaving staff members stunned and uncertain about her vision for the network.

Key Takeaways:

• Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, has met with leading anchors and executives, impressing some and confounding others, since her start date on Oct. 6.
• Weiss has mused about CBS-branded live events, booked interviews for the network with high-profile newsmakers by text message, and complained about a flurry of leaks concerning her early tenure.
• The Free Press, the website Weiss co-founded and runs, has occasionally been among the network's harshest critics, raising questions about how she plans to balance her responsibilities at CBS with her role at The Free Press.
• Weiss has asked about adding new contributors to the show's on-air lineup, creating "60 Minutes"-branded live events, and embracing digital platforms like YouTube, according to people familiar with her remarks.
• The network has struggled to adapt to the digital age, and Weiss's interest in big interviews and bigger audiences has buoyed some CBS journalists, who think their network needs a shake-up.
• Weiss's appointment has raised questions about whether her appointment was intended to placate President Trump and his allies, given her past criticism of CBS News.
• The Free Press has published several editorials critical of CBS News, including a leaked audio recording of an internal editorial meeting and lambasting the network for a perceived anti-Israel bias.
• Weiss has complained about leaks and asked if the company can identify the leakers, according to three people familiar with her remarks.
• One question among CBS journalists is how Weiss plans to balance her responsibilities at CBS with her role at The Free Press, where she remains editor in chief.
• Weiss has not promoted any articles or reporting from CBS News on her X account, which reaches 1.1 million followers, and has instead shared pro-Israel opinion pieces from The Free Press.
• An early test for Weiss could come if a "60 Minutes" segment displeases President Trump, a frequent viewer.

Statistics:

• CBS News has struggled to adapt to the digital age, with only weekend programs like "60 Minutes" maintaining their Nielsen ratings.
• The Free Press, which CBS's owner Paramount recently acquired for roughly $150 million, has a few dozen employees and a significant following on social media.
• 1.1 million followers on Weiss's X account, which she uses to share content from The Free Press.
• 70 percent of Americans consider themselves center-right or center-left, according to a statement from David Ellison, the founder of Skydance.
• $16 million settlement paid by Paramount to settle a lawsuit with President Trump over the editing of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Sources:

• People familiar with Bari Weiss's remarks
• Three people who recounted details from the private session in Midtown Manhattan
• An interview with 10 people with knowledge of the inner workings of CBS News
• David Ellison, the founder of Skydance
• People familiar with Bari Weiss's comments about leaks
• The Free Press, quoting a CBS editorial
• CBS News, in a statement about Bari Weiss's appointment
• Three people familiar with Bari Weiss's remarks about balancing her responsibilities at CBS and The Free Press
• Bari Weiss's X account, which reaches 1.1 million followers
• The New York Times, where Weiss previously worked in the Opinion section
• Paramount, the owner of CBS News
• Skydance, the Hollywood studio that acquired The Free Press for roughly $150 million