Bari Weiss Joins CBS News: What to Expect
This article details the recent appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News, following the merger of Paramount and Skydance, a company owned by Larry Ellison’s son. It paints a picture of growing concern about the potential for political influence over CBS News, notably from the trump management. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* Bari Weiss’s New Role: Weiss, previously leading The Free Press (now acquired by Ellison’s company for $150 million), will oversee the “editorial direction” of CBS News and report directly to David Ellison. She will continue to lead The Free Press, but it will maintain its autonomous branding.
* Concerns about Trump Influence: The article highlights a pattern of events suggesting Paramount has been accommodating to Trump. This includes settling a lawsuit Trump filed over a 60 Minutes segment, the FCC approving the merger with skydance, and the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show shortly after the settlement. An FCC chair even publicly welcomed Skydance’s commitment to address perceived bias at CBS.
* appointments Fueling Concerns: The appointment of a right-wing think-tank figure, Kenneth weinstein, as an ombudsman further fuels fears of a shift in CBS News’s editorial stance. the network also stopped editing interviews on Face the Nation after complaints from the administration.
* Fear of a “Trumpified” CBS: Many fear Weiss will act as an “ideological commissar,” aligning CBS News with the Trump administration’s agenda. The author acknowledges this possibility but suggests the situation is more complex than a simple “us vs. them” narrative.
* The Free Press’s Role: The Free Press is described as focusing on perceived excesses of the left,potentially providing support to those Weiss opposes. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo even calls it a “beautiful off-ramp” for center-left individuals.
In essence, the article expresses apprehension about the future of CBS News under its new leadership and ownership, suggesting a potential erosion of journalistic independence and a possible tilt towards a more conservative or politically influenced editorial direction.