CBS News Plans Bari Weiss as Editor in Chief in $150M Free Press Deal

Paramount, under CEO David Ellison, is set to acquire Bari Weiss' digital publication The Free Press for around $150 million and appoint Weiss as editor in chief of CBS News. This move would place Weiss in a prominent leadership position, reporting directly to Ellison and bypassing CBS's existing management, signaling a significant reshuffle at the network. Weiss, known for her conservative viewpoints and previous roles as an opinion writer at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, has faced criticism from liberal commentators who fear her appointment may introduce ideological bias to CBS News. Despite concerns, supporters like former Paramount Global chair Shari Redstone see Weiss as a voice who can offer a different perspective and trust audiences to discern facts amid diverse viewpoints. The deal and leadership change come amid recent controversies for Paramount Skydance, including a costly lawsuit settlement with President Trump and high-profile programming changes. Details on Weiss' specific role and responsibilities at CBS remain unclear, but her digital-first approach and editorial direction are expected to influence the network's future.