CBS News chief Bari Weiss faces criticism amid merger and ratings slump

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss told network staff on Tuesday morning that leadership still does not know what long-term plans will mean for the newsroom following the closure of the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger. According to The Wrap, Weiss sought to reassure employees that nothing will change immediately as Paramount begins integrating Warner Bros. Discovery and CNN. [2]

The internal message comes as Weiss faces growing scrutiny within the network over falling ratings and editorial leadership. The Independent reported that an insider claimed Weiss does not listen to anyone, following a series of controversial decisions since she was appointed to lead the newsroom last October under Paramount CEO David Ellison. The Independent noted that her decisions included an overhaul of 60 Minutes. [1]

Weiss was named to the Skydance leadership team alongside CNN chief Mark Thompson, ADWEEK reported. CBS News is the news division of the American television broadcaster CBS, headquartered in New York City. Weiss previously served as an op-ed editor at The Wall Street Journal and an opinion writer at The New York Times before founding the media company The Free Press in 2021. [7][8][9]

Management changes and editorial friction continue as Paramount begins integrating its newly merged broadcast and cable assets. The Wrap reported that leadership still faces significant unknowns regarding how the combined company will handle its news divisions long term. [2]