Shari Redstone Praises Bari Weiss, Defends CBS Late-Night Cuts Amid Media Shifts

Shari Redstone, former chair of Paramount Global, expressed support for Bari Weiss potentially taking editorial control at CBS News, viewing it as a necessary move toward delivering more balanced, fact-based news that respects audiences' ability to consider multiple perspectives. However, CBS News staffers reportedly feel apprehensive and unsettled by Weiss's potential leadership, fearing significant editorial shifts, particularly regarding sensitive topics like Israel and Gaza. Redstone defended the cancellation of CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," emphasizing that late-night shows have long been financially unviable, and noted similar financial decisions affected James Corden's show. She also commented on ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, urging media companies to be more thoughtful about content given the country's political divisions, though she refrained from judging ABC's decision. Redstone denied that regulatory or political pressures influenced Paramount's settlement with Donald Trump or the cancellation of Colbert's show, framing these as business decisions amid a challenging media environment. Overall, she advocates for higher standards, accountability, and diverse viewpoints in news media to restore public trust and factual clarity.