CBS News has announced the hiring of Bari Weiss, a former New York Times columnist and founder of The Free Press, as its new editor-in-chief. Her new role is part of a broader push by parent company Paramount to revitalize the network’s news division and attract younger, more impassioned audiences.
The Paramount–Free Press Deal
Weiss’s appointment comes alongside a deal between Paramount Skydance and The Free Press for $150 million. The agreement will give CBS News access to contributors and content from Weiss’s outlet while Weiss herself takes on the prominent editorial leadership position within CBS.
Blending Tradition and Innovation
The partnership is designed to merge the credibility of legacy broadcast journalism with the personality-driven, independent media model Weiss has cultivated. This hybrid approach aims to reinvigorate CBS News while appealing to audiences seeking fresh perspectives.
Why CBS Made the Move
CBS has trailed behind competitors like NBC and ABC in ratings and influence. By bringing Weiss into the fold, the network hopes to expand its reach, tap into her sizable following, and add a distinctive voice to its news programming.
What It Means for Both Bari Weiss and the Media Landscape
For Weiss, the transition marks a shift from running her own independent startup to holding significant influence at one of America’s most established news outlets. It provides her with a mainstream platform to shape coverage and extend her impact.
This deal reflects a broader industry trend: legacy media organizations partnering with independent media figures to stay relevant in a changing news environment. For CBS, Weiss’s arrival represents both a gamble and a potential turning point in redefining its place in American journalism.
Bari Weiss: A Look Back at Her Career
Bari Weiss was born in 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a Jewish household, which heavily shaped much of her worldview. She studied at Columbia University, where she was active in debates about campus politics, free speech, and Middle East issues. These early experiences laid the groundwork for her career as a journalist unafraid of controversy.
Her professional path began with stints at The Wall Street Journal and Tablet, where she covered culture, religion, and politics. In 2017, she joined The New York Times opinion section, quickly becoming a prominent—though often polarizing—voice. Weiss frequently wrote about free expression, anti-Semitism, and ideological conformity, topics that drew both praise and criticism. In 2020, she resigned from the Times, citing a hostile work culture toward her views. In her widely publicized resignation letter, she wrote: “Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor.” The statement captured her concern about how social media and peer pressure influenced journalism.
Following her departure, Weiss founded The Free Press, an independent media newsletter that amplified voices across the political spectrum and prioritized long-form, investigative reporting. Her ability to quickly build a dedicated readership outside of traditional media highlighted her entrepreneurial skills and influence in reshaping modern journalism.
Weiss has also authored a book: How to Fight Anti-Semitism (2019), which won a National Jewish Book Award.
With her move to CBS News, Weiss brings a career defined by boldness, independence, and a willingness to stand apart. Her history suggests she will continue to make an impact not just within CBS, but across the broader media landscape.
Sources: The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times
