- Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, becomes editor-in-chief at CBS News
- Her appointment sparks controversy, reflecting wider ideological divides within US journalism
- Weiss aims to restore trust and independence at CBS, navigating a highly polarised media environment
Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, has been appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News following Paramount Skydance’s $150 million acquisition of her digital media platform. Weiss, 41, will report directly to David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance. The newly created role marks a major shift in the network’s leadership and editorial direction.
The move brings one of the most outspoken voices in independent media into the heart of a legacy broadcast brand. CBS, long seen as part of the mainstream media establishment, now faces the prospect of a newsroom led by a figure who built her reputation questioning that very establishment.
Weiss’s career spans roles at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, where she resigned in 2020, citing “bullying by colleagues” and a newsroom culture hostile to “intellectual curiosity.” She later founded The Free Press in 2022, attracting 1.5 million subscribers with journalism that mixed opinion, reportage and open debate.
Her appointment comes as CBS News transitions under new ownership. David Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder and a prominent Trump ally, is a major stakeholder in Paramount Skydance. That connection has fuelled speculation about how the network’s editorial stance may evolve.
Critics have questioned Weiss’s suitability for the job. Jamelle Bouie of The New York Times called her “an unethical and talentless hack,” while others argued she lacks the traditional reporting background expected of a newsroom leader.
Supporters counter that previous CBS executives, including former president Sean McManus, also came from non-reporting roles — and that Weiss’s entrepreneurial record speaks for itself.
Weiss has described her approach as “journalism based in curiosity and honesty” and has said she intends to rebuild CBS News into “a trusted institution.” Trust remains an uphill battle: a recent Pew Research Center survey found that 39% of Americans trust CBS News, while 23% express distrust.
In a memo to staff, Weiss outlined ten principles for non-partisanship and editorial independence. Her call for “clinical neutrality” has reportedly caused unease among some employees concerned about ideological shifts inside the newsroom.
Beyond her publishing ventures, Weiss hosts the podcast Honestly, where she interviews guests across the political spectrum, from mainstream thinkers to controversial figures such as Woody Allen. Her willingness to tackle fraught topics has drawn both praise and criticism but underscores her commitment to open inquiry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.foxnews.com/media/liberal-critics-target-bari-weiss-after-cbs-news-editor-in-chief-appointment-announcement – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/free-press-founder-bari-weiss-named-editor-cbs-news-after-deal-with-paramount-2025-10-06/ – Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, has been appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News following Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of her media platform for $150 million. Weiss, 41, previously resigned from The New York Times over ideological tensions and founded The Free Press in 2022, promoting independent journalism. Under the deal, The Free Press will retain its identity, with Weiss reporting directly to CEO David Ellison. She aims to reshape CBS News into a trusted news organisation. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/free-press-founder-bari-weiss-named-editor-cbs-news-after-deal-with-paramount-2025-10-06/?utm_source=openai))
- https://apnews.com/article/5539ff80e8edf11ab9508dd5419faa83 – Paramount has appointed Bari Weiss as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News following its acquisition of her news website, The Free Press. Weiss, known for opposing cultural orthodoxy and ‘woke’ politics, will report directly to Paramount executive David Ellison and work with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. This marks the creation of the editor-in-chief position at CBS News, a move aimed at revitalising the network with a commitment to balanced, fact-based journalism. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/5539ff80e8edf11ab9508dd5419faa83?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/who-is-bari-weiss-iconoclastic-new-head-cbs-news-2025-10-06/ – Bari Weiss, a 41-year-old journalist known for challenging media orthodoxy, has been appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, making her the first outsider with no prior broadcast management experience to lead the historic network. This follows Paramount Skydance’s $150 million acquisition of her media platform, The Free Press. Weiss, once an editor at the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, left the latter in 2020 after criticising its ideological rigidity. Her own publication gained popularity for its independent stances, drawing 1.5 million subscribers and $15 million in annual revenue. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/who-is-bari-weiss-iconoclastic-new-head-cbs-news-2025-10-06/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/paramount-skydance-acquires-the-free-press – Paramount Skydance has acquired The Free Press, a digital media platform founded by journalist Bari Weiss, for approximately $150 million in a cash and stock deal. As part of the acquisition, Weiss will assume the role of editor-in-chief at CBS News, reporting directly to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison—bypassing usual leadership, including CBS News’ president and Paramount TV media chair. This leadership restructuring suggests a significant shift in editorial direction under Weiss, who is known for her centrist stance. The move is part of Ellison’s broader strategy to steer CBS News’ coverage towards the political right. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/paramount-skydance-acquires-the-free-press?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/bari-weiss-free-press-skydance-paramount-cbs-memo – Bari Weiss, newly appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, released a memo to staff outlining 10 guiding principles for her leadership approach. These principles emphasise clinically non-partisan journalism, reaffirming values she has consistently championed throughout her career. The announcement follows CBS parent company Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Weiss’s independent news platform, The Free Press, for $150 million. While the memo aims to signal editorial integrity and independence, it has raised concerns among CBS News staff regarding potential political bias, reflecting unease about the network’s possible ideological shift. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/bari-weiss-free-press-skydance-paramount-cbs-memo?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/06/bari-weiss-cbs-paramount/ – Paramount Skydance said Monday it has bought journalist Bari Weiss’s online publication, the Free Press, and named her to CBS News’s top editorial job. The terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but a person familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic details, said Paramount will pay about $150 million in cash and stock. Weiss, 41, launched the Free Press as an outlet for contrarian, sometimes controversial and often right-leaning commentary after quitting the New York Times in 2020, saying that she had been bullied by more liberal staffers. Now the outspoken critic of mainstream media will helm one of its historic bastions, taking over a network whose newscasts were once anchored by Walter Cronkite. An opinion journalist known for her staunch backing of Israel and for opposing what she calls “woke” progressivism, Weiss has no background in broadcast television. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/06/bari-weiss-cbs-paramount/?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being October 6, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative has not appeared elsewhere within the past 7 days. The article includes updated data but does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Fox News, a reputable organisation. However, the report has been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, which may affect its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims, with supporting details from reputable outlets. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were noted. The tone is appropriate for corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no discrepancies or recycled content. While originating from Fox News, a reputable organisation, the report has been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, which may affect its credibility. The claims are plausible, with supporting details from reputable outlets, and the language and tone are appropriate.
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