Paramount Buys The Free Press Website. Ellison Installs Founder Bari Weiss As CBS News Editor-In-Chief
Paramount says it has bought the news and commentary website The Free Press. the Free Press website. Company executives say the site’s founder, Bari Weiss has named the editor-in-chief of CBS News. Paramount said they bought the website because it believes the country longs for balanced fact-based news
It’s a bold step for the television network of Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. Many conservatives have long viewed the network as the personification of a liberal media establishment.
Skydance/Pramount executives say Weiss has developed a reputation for resisting orthodoxy and fighting “woke” culture.
Skydance CEO David Ellison told the media:
Skydance did not disclose the purchase price for The Free Press. The website has grown to reach 1.5 million subscribers since Weiss started it in 2021. She previously worked at the New York Times.
Weiss will report directly to Ellison and partner with the current CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. Cibrowski reports to Paramount executive George Cheeks.
Weiss Wants To Make CBS News The Most Trusted Name In Journalism
Ellison said that Weiss will shape editorial priorities and champion core values across platforms. In addition, she lead innovation in how the organization reports and delivers the news.
Weiss told CBS News employees:
“I want to hear from you about what’s working, what isn’t, and your thoughts on how we can make CBS News the most trusted news organization in America and the world. I’ll approach it the way any reporters would with an open mind, a fresh notebook and an urgent deadline.”
Broadcast news organizations are generally fading in influence with the growth of online alternatives. They also have aging audience. CBS is generally third in popularity behind ABC and NBC. However, “60 Minutes” and “CBS News Sunday Morning” have devoted fan bases.
Veteran CBS anchor Dan Rather told The Associated Press that he did not know Weiss. He hopes she gets to know the people at CBS News before making any big changes:
“No one has to send a memo to everyone down the line at CBS News about what is going on with journalism and this presidency. It is obvious that there is tremendous pressure to bend the knee to the Trump administration. The fear is that this appointment is part of that overall play.”
Weiss has worked in opinion journalism and has little background in broadcast journalism. She has described herself politically as a centrist.
One reason for The Free Press’ popularity is that it offers intellectual reassurances to legions of anti-anti-Trump readers. The site also appeals to sophisticated conservatives who may be uneasy about Trumpism. These conservatives believe that wokeness and other left-wing excesses are the primary threats to western civilization.
Weiss will remain as the boss of The Free Press. She indicated would continue on the same course. However, she stated it would expand more quickly with Paramount’s money. Indeed, she said in a letter to subscribers that The Free Press will help reshape CBS News.
