Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, has strongly denied a report suggesting that senior executives are contemplating a reduction in the editorial responsibilities of Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. The report, published by Puck on Tuesday, claimed that unnamed members of Paramount's senior leadership team had been informally discussing whether to scale back Weiss's oversight of key programs such as "CBS News" and "60 Minutes" due to declining ratings.
Paramount's Firm Rebuttal
In an immediate response, Paramount issued a statement asserting, "Bari has the full support of Paramount and [its CEO] David Ellison as the editorial leader overseeing 'CBS News' and '60 Minutes.' Reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate." This came after the Puck report indicated that Weiss, aged 42, was on the verge of losing control over both flagship programs.
Alleged Discussions and Weiss's Tenure
According to sources cited by Puck, executives had discussed whether "CBS Evening News," "CBS Mornings," and "60 Minutes" should fall under the purview of a more seasoned executive. The discussions were reportedly triggered by low ratings and recent missteps under Weiss's leadership. Weiss was appointed to her role in October 2024, personally chosen by CEO David Ellison, who described her as a "perfect fit" for the position. Prior to this, Weiss was a right-leaning opinion writer and founder of The Free Press, a media company she established in 2022, which Paramount acquired for $150 million.
Challenges and Controversies
Weiss's tenure has been marked by several challenges. Her lack of experience in leading a major newsroom drew scrutiny, and the purported talks included suggestions to move her to a more digital-focused role. Under this potential arrangement, broader editorial duties unrelated to the main broadcasts would remain within her purview. Weiss's appointment was part of a network-wide overhaul, which included the elevation of Tony Dokoupil to the "CBS Evening News" desk and the hiring of Matt Gutman as chief reporter. However, Dokoupil's appointment faced criticism, and a visa issue prevented him from traveling to China last week.
In December, Weiss's highly publicized town hall with Erika Kirk proved to be a ratings disappointment. Additionally, she made the decision to pull a "60 Minutes" segment on the CECOT prison in El Salvador, where the Trump administration has been sending suspected undocumented immigrants. Longtime journalist Lesley Stahl is reportedly reassessing her future at CBS after being passed over for an interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, which Weiss arranged personally. Anderson Cooper is also leaving the show, partly due to Weiss, according to Status.
Background and Context
Former "60 Minutes" boss Bill Owens and ex-CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon left the network earlier, citing corporate overreach following Paramount's merger with Ellison's Skydance. Ellison has articulated a vision of reaching a more centrist audience with CBS News. Weiss, an outspoken supporter of Israel, has described herself as both a "radical centrist" and an "unhinged Zionist." The Daily Mail approached Paramount and CBS for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
