Bari Weiss Faces Uphill Battle At Left-Leaning CBS News

Bari Weiss, the 41-year-old journalist appointed Monday as CBS News’ editor in chief, is stepping into a challenging role as she aims to overhaul the network’s left-leaning reputation, sources told The NY Post.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, who confirmed Weiss’ hire and the $150 million acquisition of her outlet, The Free Press, emphasized restoring “balance” to CBS News’ flagship programs, including “60 Minutes,” “Face The Nation,” and “CBS Sunday Morning.” 

However, insiders warn that Weiss, known for her contrarian stance against mainstream media, faces resistance from a newsroom entrenched in its ways and skeptical of change.

“It’s a snake pit,” a former CBS News staffer said, noting that some veteran employees may resist reform to the point of risking the brand’s failure. Another predicted that internal leaks could undermine Weiss, citing her lack of TV experience and managerial background. “She will implode because she has no experience in TV whatsoever,” they added.

Weiss must navigate a workforce nostalgic for CBS’ storied past, tied to legends like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, while also managing newer hires loyal to CBS News president Tom Cibrowski, a former “Good Morning America” executive producer brought on in March to complement Weiss’ role.

“She’s a complete outsider,” another ex-CBS source said, highlighting Weiss’ lack of experience in broadcast production. Yet, a more optimistic insider believes Weiss’ charm and journalistic talent could win allies, though she’ll need to replace those unwilling to adapt and build a trusted team to succeed.

Weiss reports directly to Ellison, while Cibrowski reports to George Cheeks, head of Paramount’s TV Media group, a structure already causing friction within CBS. Some view Ellison’s choice of Weiss as a move to disrupt traditional journalism, with one former employee noting he “doesn’t seem to care about establishment or legacy journalism.”