Generating key takeaways...
Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, has been appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News following Paramount Skydance’s $150 million acquisition of her digital media platform. Weiss, 41, will report directly to David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance. The newly created role marks a major shift in the network’s leadership and editorial direction.
The move brings one of the most outspoken voices in independent media into the heart of a legacy broadcast brand. CBS, long seen as part of the mainstream media establishment, now faces the prospect of a newsroom led by a figure who built her reputation questioning that very establishment.
Weiss’s career spans roles at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, where she resigned in 2020, citing “bullying by colleagues” and a newsroom culture hostile to “intellectual curiosity.” She later founded The Free Press in 2022, attracting 1.5 million subscribers with journalism that mixed opinion, reportage and open debate.
Her appointment comes as CBS News transitions under new ownership. David Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder and a prominent Trump ally, is a major stakeholder in Paramount Skydance. That connection has fuelled speculation about how the network’s editorial stance may evolve.
Critics have questioned Weiss’s suitability for the job. Jamelle Bouie of The New York Times called her “an unethical and talentless hack,” while others argued she lacks the traditional reporting background expected of a newsroom leader.
Supporters counter that previous CBS executives, including former president Sean McManus, also came from non-reporting roles — and that Weiss’s entrepreneurial record speaks for itself.
Weiss has described her approach as “journalism based in curiosity and honesty” and has said she intends to rebuild CBS News into “a trusted institution.” Trust remains an uphill battle: a recent Pew Research Center survey found that 39% of Americans trust CBS News, while 23% express distrust.
In a memo to staff, Weiss outlined ten principles for non-partisanship and editorial independence. Her call for “clinical neutrality” has reportedly caused unease among some employees concerned about ideological shifts inside the newsroom.
Beyond her publishing ventures, Weiss hosts the podcast Honestly, where she interviews guests across the political spectrum, from mainstream thinkers to controversial figures such as Woody Allen. Her willingness to tackle fraught topics has drawn both praise and criticism but underscores her commitment to open inquiry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being October 6, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative has not appeared elsewhere within the past 7 days. The article includes updated data but does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were identified in the provided text.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Fox News, a reputable organisation. However, the report has been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, which may affect its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims, with supporting details from reputable outlets. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were noted. The tone is appropriate for corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no discrepancies or recycled content. While originating from Fox News, a reputable organisation, the report has been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, which may affect its credibility. The claims are plausible, with supporting details from reputable outlets, and the language and tone are appropriate.
