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In a daring strategic shift, Paramount has acquired Bari Weiss’s media startup, The Free Press, and appointed the journalist as editor-in-chief at CBS News. Rather than joining the usual chain of command, Weiss will report directly to CEO David Ellison — a move that’s raising eyebrows behind the scenes.
A signal from the top: Ellison’s personal move
Barely after inking his $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global via Skydance, David Ellison made his first internal visit to CBS News. That alone says a lot. For a CEO to head straight to the news division sends a clear message: journalism matters to him, maybe more than we thought.
CBS News has long carried a reputation for rigorous reporting, and Ellison doesn’t want to let that slip. At a time when trust in journalism is fragile, he’s banking on something different: trusted, bold voices with a fresh edge. Enter Bari Weiss.
The choice is interesting. Weiss is known for her strongly opinionated takes and a certain comfort with controversy. She cut her teeth at The New York Times before launching The Free Press, a newsletter-style digital newsroom focused on independent journalism. For some, she represents intellectual rigor outside the mainstream. For others, she stirs polarizing debates. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
In Ellison’s eyes, she’s a perfect fit for what Paramount needs now: someone disruptive, yet grounded in facts.
An unusual structure… and a lot of questions
Weiss’s new role is not just new for her — it’s new for CBS. She won’t report to CBS News leadership, but directly to Ellison himself. That makes her an editorial wildcard. Officially, she carries serious symbolic weight. Unofficially, no one really knows how much authority she holds.
Inside CBS News, that’s already causing some unease. There are worries about how this independent thread will intertwine — or knot — with the larger editorial fabric of the network. For reporters and producers used to a clear hierarchy, having someone powerful but not reportable within that system feels like a recipe for confusion.
Some insiders admire Weiss’s ambition and her public commitment to “fearless, independent journalism.” Others worry she lacks television experience and won’t easily adapt to the unique demands of broadcast news. One can sense the cautious atmosphere surrounding her integration.
Current CBS News president Tom Cibrowski now finds himself sharing space — if not duties — with this high-profile arrival. How the two will coordinate remains deeply unclear. Weiss’s visibility and closeness to Ellison could give her informal clout, even if she’s not sitting at the operational table. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
A newsroom in transition — and on edge
CBS News has been facing turbulence even before Weiss joined. The last few months brought their share of internal tensions: disputes over editorial direction, leadership changes, and, critically, cuts looming on the horizon across Paramount.
The flagship show 60 Minutes, always seen as CBS’s gold standard, is quietly tense. The departure of executive producer Bill Owens already rattled the ranks. Officially, Tanya Simon’s appointment to replace him was well received. Still, many in the newsroom are holding their breath, wondering whether the autonomy that made 60 Minutes legendary will remain untouched.
- Staff are unsure how Weiss’s role intersects with existing leadership
- The editorial tension intensified after politically sensitive interviews triggered controversy
- Pending budget cuts might reshape how the newsroom operates across formats
It’s in this fragile climate that Bari Weiss walks in — and she knows it. “We honor the extraordinary legacy of CBS News by committing in full to building the most trusted news organization of the 21st century,” she said. The ambition is there. The pathway? Less clear.
Julien’s take: Personally, I find this move as fascinating as it is risky. On paper, giving space to independent journalism within a historic institution sounds refreshing. But what makes print or digital savvy doesn’t always translate well to televised news. And when too many chefs stir the editorial pot without clarity, the storytelling suffers — I’ve seen it before.
Ratings pressure and the long game ahead
Let’s not forget that CBS News has also been struggling with audience numbers. Both CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings rank third, trailing behind competitors. There’s a desire for reinvention, yes — but also urgency.
By bringing in a high-profile media voice like Weiss, Paramount seems to be betting on a reinvigorated relationship with younger, more digitally native viewers. But change done in a rush or without alignment can backfire.
Behind the scenes, everyone at CBS seems to be asking the same thing: Will this make us stronger, or just more divided?
Only time will tell. For now, the arrival of Bari Weiss adds a new layer to a newsroom already full of questions, hopes, and uncertainties. And as a viewer — and a lover of journalism — I can’t help but watch closely, hoping the experiment leads to stronger, bolder reporting without sacrificing trust.
