Paramount Nears $200M Acquisition of Free Press, Plans Bari Weiss Editorial Role at CBS News

Paramount, under CEO David Ellison, is reportedly close to acquiring Bari Weiss's media company, The Free Press, in a deal potentially valued up to $200 million. As part of this acquisition, Weiss, known for her conservative and pro-Israel views and her departure from The New York Times over ideological differences, is expected to take a senior editorial role at CBS News, which has caused significant unrest among CBS staff. Insiders describe CBS employees as "apoplectic" and anticipate resignations due to Weiss's perceived editorial direction, particularly concerning coverage of Israel and Gaza. The Free Press is characterized as a right-leaning outlet that resists both liberal and MAGA extremes, with content that has drawn criticism for challenging mainstream narratives on topics like NPR bias and Gaza famine reporting. Ellison's attempt to reshape CBS News with Weiss follows his settlement of a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump and reflects his broader influence over the network after Paramount's merger with Skydance. This move highlights ongoing tensions within CBS News as it faces internal dissent amid efforts to redefine its editorial stance under new leadership.