Paramount Skydance Appoints Controversial Bari Weiss as CBS News Editor-in-Chief
new york, vrijdag, 3 oktober 2025.
Paramount Skydance has acquired The Free Press and appointed its founder, Bari Weiss, as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News. This decision, which will be announced on Monday, has caused tension within the CBS newsroom. Weiss, known for her ‘anti-woke’ and pro-Israel stances, is considered one of the most polarising figures in the media. Staff members fear that her appointment could jeopardise the independence of the news service.
Controversial Appointment of Bari Weiss
Paramount Skydance has acquired The Free Press and appointed its founder, Bari Weiss, as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News. This decision, which will be announced on Monday, has caused tension within the CBS newsroom. Weiss, known for her ‘anti-woke’ and pro-Israel stances, is considered one of the most polarising figures in the media. Staff members fear that her appointment could jeopardise the independence of the news service [1][3][5].
Details of the Acquisition
The deal for the acquisition of The Free Press by Paramount Skydance is estimated to be around $150 million and is expected to close within two weeks. David Ellison, CEO and founder of Skydance, has quietly approached Weiss for a high-ranking position at CBS. Weiss, who was an editor and writer at The New York Times until 2020, launched The Free Press after resigning due to frustrations with editorial policies [1][3][5].
Reactions from the Media Industry
Reactions to Weiss’ expected arrival at CBS have been strong. A former CBS veteran described it as ‘like dropping a grenade’ in the newsroom. David Klion, a columnist for The Nation, suggests that Weiss joining CBS will formalise her role as an ally to the Trump administration in silencing progressive and pro-Palestinian voices [3][5]. Weiss has been described as ‘one of the most polarising figures in media’ by Oliver Darcy, author of the Status newsletter [3].
Impact on CBS News
Weiss’ appointment as editor-in-chief of CBS News brings both opportunities and challenges. Some staff welcome the changes and see it as a chance for more free thought and expression. Others, however, fear that the new direction could undermine the credibility of CBS News and disrupt diversity in the newsroom [3][5].
Political Implications
The merger between Paramount and Skydance, which was approved by the Trump administration in August 2025, has broader political implications. Following President Donald Trump’s re-election, there are concerns about the government’s influence on media companies. Trump has previously criticised CBS News, which complicates the merger further [3][5].