Bari Weiss, co-founder and CEO of The Free Press, has been appointed CBS News’ editor-in-chief by Paramount, which also acquired The Free Press. This decision marks a significant strategic shift for the media giant, which recently merged with Skydance Corp. under CEO David Ellison. Ellison, known for his bold acquisitions, has been exploring the possibility of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, further solidifying Paramount’s position in the media landscape.
Ellison’s ambition for Paramount is clear in his statement, emphasizing the company’s goal to modernize content and directly engage with global audiences. He highlighted the importance of news that is balanced and fact-based, positioning CBS as a trusted news source. Weiss will now report directly to Ellison, though she will continue to lead The Free Press as its CEO and editor-in-chief. The Free Press will maintain its own brand and operations, operating independently under Paramount’s umbrella.
Weiss and her wife, Nellie Bowles, launched The Free Press in 2021 with the support of Weiss’ sister Suzy. She was previously an opinion writer for The New York Times and has since built a platform that aims to foster journalism rooted in curiosity and honesty, alongside a culture of healthy disagreement. The partnership with Paramount is expected to expand The Free Press’ audience of 1.5 million, leveraging CBS’s extensive reach to amplify their mission.
This appointment comes after CBS and Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with former President Donald Trump over a controversial “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement included hiring an ombudsman to assess bias in CBS reporting, indicating a growing emphasis on journalistic integrity within the company. Weiss expressed her confidence in Ellison and the new leadership team, stating that Paramount’s vision is to make CBS the most trusted news organization of the 21st Century.