Bari Weiss, one of the most talked-about voices in American media, is stepping into one of television journalism’s most influential roles. The 41-year-old writer and publisher has been named editor-in-chief of CBS News following the network’s acquisition of her digital outlet, The Free Press, by new parent company Paramount, a Skydance Corporation. Known for her sharp commentary and defense of what she calls “free inquiry,” Weiss has built a reputation as both a trailblazer and a polarizing figure. Supporters see her as a champion of independent journalism, while critics view her as a partisan voice in an already divided media landscape. As she prepares to help reshape CBS’s editorial direction, Weiss faces the challenge of balancing her outsider ethos with the demands of a legacy network. This gallery traces her journey from college journalist to one of the most scrutinized editors in American news.
Early Life and Education
Bari Weiss was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1984, and grew up in a close-knit Jewish family that valued debate and ideas. Her curiosity about politics and culture developed early, leading her to study at Columbia University in New York. There, she wrote for and later founded The Current, a student magazine devoted to politics and Jewish affairs. Weiss graduated in 2007 with a degree in history, already known for her sharp writing and willingness to tackle controversial subjects. Those early editorial experiences would shape her path as one of the most outspoken journalists of her generation.
Building a Career in Opinion Journalism
After college, Weiss began working at Tablet Magazine, where she rose to senior editor, shaping coverage on religion, identity, and global affairs. Her editorial voice — direct, analytical, and unapologetically independent — caught the attention of larger outlets. In 2013, she joined The Wall Street Journal as an opinion writer and book review editor. There, Weiss developed a national profile for essays exploring free speech, politics and cultural change. Her blend of curiosity and conviction earned her both admirers and critics, traits that would follow her throughout her career in the increasingly polarized world of media.
The New York Times and a Public Break
Weiss joined The New York Times opinion desk in 2017 during a period of deep political division in the U.S. She was recruited to help diversify the editorial page’s viewpoints, but her time there proved contentious. In 2020, Weiss resigned in a widely shared open letter that accused the paper of intolerance for different points of view and said Twitter had become its “ultimate editor.” Her departure drew national attention, sparking debates over free expression in journalism and newsroom culture. The resignation cemented her reputation as an independent thinker willing to challenge the institutions she once served.
Founding The Free Press
Following her high-profile exit from The New York Times, Weiss launched a Substack newsletter titled “Common Sense,” later rebranded as The Free Press. The publication quickly became a home for writers seeking to operate outside traditional media structures, emphasizing what Weiss called “free inquiry” and open debate. Supporters described The Free Press as an “unflinching alternative to traditional media,” according to The New York Times.
However, its editorial direction has drawn mixed reactions. Politico and CNN have characterized the site as a conservative-leaning outlet, while The Guardian’s David Klion argued that it amplified right-wing perspectives within elite institutions and marginalized progressive or pro-Palestinian voices. Other observers, including The New Statesman’s Ross Barkan and the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, have described its tone as “hawkish” and “pro-Israel.” Some commentators, such as Andrew Sullivan, have criticized the outlet for not consistently defending free-speech rights.
Joining CBS and the Skydance Deal
In October 2025, Weiss made another surprising move: she was named editor-in-chief of CBS News. The appointment followed a deal in which CBS’s new corporate parent, Skydance Media, acquired The Free Press. Skydance CEO David Ellison described Weiss as “a proven champion of independent, principled journalism.” Weiss, who has no prior broadcast experience, will share leadership duties with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. Her mandate, according to Ellison, is to redefine CBS’s news brand and reach audiences seeking “balanced and fact-based” reporting — an ambitious challenge amid planned newsroom restructuring.
Sources: NPR, The Guardian, Andrew Sullivan, Paramount, Bari Weiss, The Verge, CNN, Politico
