Paramount Global is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire The Free Press, a media outlet founded by Bari Weiss in 2022, for a price estimated between $100 million and $200 million.
The acquisition, first reported by Puck on September 3, 2025, is part of Paramount’s strategy under CEO David Ellison to reshape its media portfolio following the $8 billion Skydance-Paramount merger, which ended the Redstone family’s control over the company.
As part of the deal, Weiss, a former New York Times opinion editor known for her critiques of progressive ideologies and mainstream media, is expected to take a senior editorial role at CBS News, potentially steering its editorial direction toward a more conservative or "viewpoint-diverse" approach.
The move comes amid broader changes at CBS News, including the elimination of DEI programs and the appointment of an ombudsman to monitor bias, concessions made to secure FCC approval for the merger. These shifts have sparked concern among some CBS insiders, with one describing the ombudsman as a “hall monitor” and others warning that CBS News’ tradition of independent reporting could be at risk. Weiss’s Free Press has gained traction for its anti-establishment stance, but critics, like The Nation, argue it promotes controversial views, including pro-Israel and anti-woke perspectives, which could influence CBS News’ coverage.
Why CBC News Staffers Are Upset:
Why CBC News Staffers Are Upset:
- Cultural Shift Concerns: Staffers fear Weiss’s influence, given her Free Press outlet’s reputation for controversial, right-leaning stances on issues like Israel, woke culture, and free speech, could disrupt CBS News’ tradition of balanced reporting. Some describe her potential arrival as a “catastrophic” change, likening it to “dropping a handbag” in the newsroom, signaling a jarring shift in dynamics.
- Resistance to Change: Insiders note an inherent resistance within CBS News to external leadership, particularly Weiss, who may not report to current CBS News president Tom Chibrowski. Her intense, sometimes perceived as controlling, style adds to concerns about editorial interference.
- Political Realignment: The acquisition follows concessions made to secure FCC approval for the merger, including eliminating DEI programs and appointing an ombudsman to monitor bias. Staffers worry these changes, combined with Weiss’s leadership, could align CBS News more closely with conservative politics, alienating its audience and undermining journalistic integrity.
- Newsroom Morale: Posts on X and reports indicate staffers are “freaking out” or “apoplectic,” with some threatening to quit over Weiss’s arrival and the broader mandate for office returns and potential job cuts under Ellison’s leadership.
Neither Paramount nor Weiss has officially confirmed the deal, and negotiations are reportedly in their final stages. The acquisition reflects a broader trend of media consolidation and ideological realignment, with Ellison aiming to modernize CBS News and boost its ratings. However, the move has stirred debate about the future of journalistic integrity at CBS, given Weiss’s polarizing reputation.