Bari Weiss, a name that has become synonymous with both controversy and innovation in modern journalism, is once again at the center of the media world. On October 13, 2025, Paramount Skydance’s David Ellison appointed Weiss as the new editor in chief of CBS News, following his company’s $150 million acquisition of The Free Press—a digital publication Weiss co-founded. This bold move has sent ripples through the industry, sparking debates about the future direction of CBS News and the broader implications for American journalism.
Weiss’s rise to this influential post is nothing short of remarkable. After a very public resignation from The New York Times in 2020—a departure accompanied by a scathing letter criticizing what she saw as the paper’s drift from its foundational journalistic values—Weiss wasted little time forging her own path. She launched The Free Press on Substack, a platform that quickly ballooned to 1.5 million readers, according to reporting from The Free Press itself. The publication, co-founded with her wife Nellie Bowles and her sister Suzy Weiss, built its reputation on what its founders call “integrity in reporting” and a mission to hold powerful institutions accountable.
Paramount’s recent purchase of The Free Press underscores the perceived value of Weiss’s approach. The acquisition is not just a business transaction; it’s a clear signal that Ellison, the new Paramount chief, wants to shake up CBS News by infusing it with the energy, rigor, and sometimes contrarian spirit that have defined Weiss’s career so far. But the decision has not been without controversy—and not just among media critics and rival networks. Inside CBS News, the mood is unsettled. Some staffers have expressed anxiety about potential layoffs, while others are cautiously optimistic that Weiss could restore some of the network’s lost luster in a rapidly changing media landscape.
For decades, CBS News has prided itself on its reputation as the “Tiffany network,” a standard-bearer for journalistic excellence. Yet, in recent years, the network has faced mounting challenges: declining ratings, fierce competition from digital upstarts, and questions about its relevance in the era of social media and 24-hour news cycles. Weiss’s appointment is widely viewed as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the CBS News brand, returning it to its roots with an emphasis on rigorous reporting and deep sourcing—qualities that Weiss herself has championed since her days at The New York Times.
Still, not everyone is convinced that Weiss is the right person for the job. Critics have pointed to her lack of experience in broadcast journalism, raising concerns that she may struggle to adapt to the unique demands of television news. But supporters argue that her proven track record as both a writer and an editor—combined with her willingness to challenge orthodoxy—could be just what CBS News needs to reestablish itself as a leader in the industry.
One of the most vocal critics of this shakeup has been comedian and commentator John Oliver, who dedicated more than 30 minutes of his Last Week Tonight monologue to dissecting Weiss’s career and the implications of her new role. Oliver did not mince words, calling Weiss’s work “irresponsible” and “deeply misleading.” He took particular issue with her self-description of her New York Times resignation as a “moment heard ’round the world,” dismissing it as “self-aggrandizing.”
Oliver’s critique went beyond personal barbs. He scrutinized several stories published by The Free Press, including one article that claimed malnourished children in Gaza suffered from pre-existing health conditions rather than starvation, and another that made controversial claims about the families of trans youth. According to Oliver, these stories exemplify a troubling pattern: “It can sometimes feel like The Free Press’ conclusions can get out ahead of its evidence,” he said, even as he acknowledged that the political left is not immune from criticism. Oliver’s larger concern was the potential for CBS News to morph into what he called a “pure opinion outlet,” a direction he argued would be dangerous for one of America’s most storied news organizations.
It’s not just Oliver raising alarms. The decision by David Ellison—who has also made headlines for promising to root out diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Paramount and installing a conservative ombudsman to monitor bias at CBS News—has prompted broader questions about the ideological direction of the network. Some see the moves as part of a much-needed course correction, a return to journalistic fundamentals and skepticism of groupthink. Others worry it signals a rightward shift that could undermine CBS News’s credibility and alienate a significant portion of its audience.
For her part, Weiss remains undeterred by the criticism. She has long argued for a return to what she calls “traditional journalism,” emphasizing the importance of reporting that is both fearless and fair. Her supporters say this approach is precisely what CBS News needs at a time when trust in media is at historic lows and the public is hungry for news that is both accurate and independent. “Bari Weiss embodies a belief in the power of journalism to inform and engage,” wrote The Free Press, reflecting the optimism her backers feel about her ability to steer CBS News into a new era.
Yet, the challenges Weiss faces are formidable. Not only must she win over a skeptical staff and a divided audience, but she must also navigate the tricky waters of corporate consolidation and shifting political winds. The media landscape has never been more fragmented, and the stakes for getting the story right have never been higher. If Weiss succeeds, she could help restore CBS News’s reputation as a beacon of reliable reporting. If she falters, the network risks sliding further into the morass of partisanship and distrust that has plagued so much of American media in recent years.
As CBS News embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on Bari Weiss. Her appointment is more than just a personnel change—it’s a test case for whether legacy media can adapt and thrive in a world where the old rules no longer apply. Whether Weiss will rise to the occasion or become another cautionary tale remains to be seen. For now, she stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, with the future of CBS News hanging in the balance.
