CBS Buys The Free Press Website, Names Founder Bari Weiss CBS News Editor-in-Chief

Paramount said that it has bought the commentary website The Free Press and installed its founder, Bari Weiss, as the editor-in-chief of CBS News.

No purchase price was announced for The Free Press, which has been a success since Weiss started it after leaving The New York Times as an opinion writer. (Photo: Rob Young Wikimedia Commons) 

The announcement, while anticipated, marks a bold move for the venerable television news network under new corporate leader David Ellison. Weiss’s experience is in print journalism, particularly in commentary, David Bauder reported for the Associated Press (AP).

“I am confident her entrepreneurial drive and editorial vision will invigorate CBS News,” Ellison said in a news release.

“This move is part of Paramount’s broader vision to modernize content and the way it connects — directly and passionately — with audiences around the world.”

No purchase price was announced for The Free Press, which has been a success since Weiss started it after leaving The New York Times as an opinion writer. Some at CBS News have expressed concern that the move signals a shift toward a news approach more friendly to President Donald Trump.

Ellison said Weiss will report directly to him and partner with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, who reports to Paramount executive George Cheeks.

He added that Weiss will “shape editorial priorities, champion core values across platforms, and lead innovation in how the organization reports and delivers the news.”

“We believe the majority of the country longs for news that is balanced and fact-based,” Ellison said. “We want CBS to be their home.”