CBS News hired Bari Weiss to shake things up. Whether she can is the big question.
A few months ago, as Skydance edged closer to acquiring Paramount Global, a curious rumor caught fire in media circles: Skydance CEO David Ellison was eyeing Bari Weiss to lead CBS News.
CBS, home to venerable institutions like “60 Minutes” and “Face the Nation,” is a legacy, mainstream broadcast journalism outlet. Weiss, meanwhile, built her career as a contrarian columnist at The New York Times before stepping away in a highly publicized resignation over what she described as ideological groupthink. She soon launched The Free Press, an outlet that rails against the establishment with commentary that skews conservative. The idea that she might soon run one of America’s most traditional broadcast news operations seemed unfathomable.
But, earlier this month, the rumors came true.
In the latest episode of “The Poynter Report Podcast,” Guardian US media and power reporter Jeremy Barr unpacks what Weiss’ surprise appointment means for CBS News and how her outsider status may be a source of strength but also a major liability.
Related stories
Related Knowledge Center: The CBS submission
Corporate pressure has led to capitulation by CBS News in a number of conflicts with the Trump regime — including its newly ideological coverage philosophy.
Related Knowledge Center: State of the business model
The traditional journalism business model has long since collapsed, and news organizations have shrunk or disappeared entirely. While a number of promising experiments are under way, the public has not shown a willingness to buy what news organizations are selling.