Table of Contents
- New Boss, New Rules
- Bias and Backlash
- Guest Bookings and Leaks
- The Free Press Factor
- What Comes Next?
- Sources
Bari Weiss Shakes Up CBS News in First Weeks
Just two weeks into her role as editor in chief of CBS News, Bari Weiss is already making waves—and ruffling feathers. Known for her sharp opinions and outsider status in mainstream media, Weiss’s arrival marks a dramatic shift for a network long seen as a pillar of traditional broadcast journalism.
Weiss, 41, brings no prior television experience but arrives with a reputation forged through her work at The New York Times Opinion section and as co-founder of The Free Press, a digital media outlet recently acquired by Paramount for $150 million.
Why Does America Think You’re Biased?
During a private meeting with the staff of 60 Minutes on October 15, Weiss posed a blunt question that left the room in stunned silence: “Why does the country think you’re biased?”
The inquiry struck a nerve. 60 Minutes, the nation’s most-watched news program, prides itself on nonpartisan reporting. Yet it has faced repeated criticism from former President Donald Trump and his allies who accuse it of liberal leanings—a charge the team rejects.
Still, Weiss’s question reflects a broader concern: how to rebuild trust with a polarized public while maintaining journalistic integrity.
Big Names, Bigger Leaks
Weiss isn’t just asking tough questions—she’s taking direct action. In her first week, she personally booked high-profile guests via text message, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump-era Middle East architects Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for a 60 Minutes segment airing October 19.
During a company-wide call on October 9, she announced she’d secured a trio of former secretaries of state—Hillary Clinton, Antony Blinken, and Mike Pompeo—for a special panel on the Middle East peace deal. Only Clinton ultimately appeared; Pompeo is under exclusive contract with Fox News.
But Weiss’s hands-on approach has also drawn scrutiny. She’s reportedly frustrated by internal leaks about her early meetings, urging executives to identify sources. Ironically, The Free Press previously published a leaked CBS editorial meeting audio, criticizing the network’s alleged anti-Israel stance.
The Free Press Factor
A major question looms: Can Weiss effectively lead CBS News while remaining editor in chief of The Free Press? The outlet has often been critical of CBS, including accusing the network of “concocting a deception” in its editing of a Kamala Harris interview—a claim CBS denies.
Weiss has yet to promote any CBS content on her X (formerly Twitter) account, which has 1.1 million followers. Instead, she’s shared pro-Israel editorials and political commentary—raising eyebrows among staff about potential conflicts with CBS’s nonpartisan standards.
What Comes Next?
Weiss has floated bold ideas: 60 Minutes-branded live events, expanded digital presence on YouTube, and fresh on-air contributors. Her mantra? “I love to win.”
With CBS lagging behind ABC and NBC in Nielsen ratings—and having cycled through five presidents in five years—many see her as a necessary disruptor. Others worry her activist-journalist background could undermine the network’s credibility.
An early test arrives this Sunday: the 60 Minutes episode featuring Kushner and Witkoff, plus a segment on Justice Department whistleblower Erez Reuveni, who accuses the Trump administration of violating migrant rights. If Trump reacts strongly, all eyes will be on Weiss’s response.
Sources
The New York Times: “Booking Big Guests and Irked by Leaks: Bari Weiss’s First Days at CBS”
