Bari Weiss Takes the Helm at CBS News Following Paramount Acquisition

Fri Dec 05 2025 06:36:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss is appointed to lead CBS News, marking a significant change under Paramount's new ownership strategy.

Bari Weiss, previously a columnist for The New York Times and founder of The Free Press, has been appointed the editor-in-chief of CBS News as part of a transformative deal involving Paramount's acquisition. Weiss aims to steer CBS toward more balanced and non-partisan reporting, a move that accompanies the broader corporate strategy for enhancing credibility in news coverage. The implication of such leadership changes reflects ongoing tensions surrounding media bias and the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity amidst corporate affiliations.

Paramount has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, in the latest move by new owners to reshape operations of one of America's leading news organisations.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150m (£112m).

Weiss, who has criticized broadcast media for becoming too partisan, expressed excitement about her role at CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a merger with Paramount.

This change has drawn scrutiny from the left, given that Ellison is the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, a known Trump ally.

Weiss, who began her career at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her pro-Israel stance and her opposition to 'cancel culture'. The Free Press has amassed 1.5 million subscribers since its inception in 2021, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

Big contributors to The Free Press include historians and economists, illustrating its varied intellectual portfolio.

Ellison stated that Weiss's appointment aims to modernize content at Paramount and promote CBS as the 'most-trusted name in news', seeking to provide coverage that resonates with a broader audience.

Terms of the deal for acquiring The Free Press remain undisclosed. However, Ellison, a Hollywood producer, has indicated a commitment to offer less biased and more diversified programming.

This restructuring comes in response to a tumultuous political climate and media scrutiny over perceived biases in reporting.

CBS News, which maintains a partnership with the BBC to share content, plays a critical role in the current media landscape characterized by an urgent need for credibility and balanced reporting.

In her note about the acquisition, Weiss emphasized the importance of shared facts and common truths, underscoring her commitment to tangible journalistic values.