Daring to Dream: Bari Weiss Embarks on a Mission to Revitalize CBS News
Bari Weiss, the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief of CBS News, has wasted no time in stamping her authority on the network. In a move that left no room for doubt, her first week in the role was a whirlwind tour of the news division, setting the tone for her ambitious plans.
The very day after Paramount's announcement of its acquisition of The Free Press, Weiss sat side by side with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski at the head of the editorial meeting table, making it clear that they were a united front in this venture.
Her first formal meeting, which was more of an introductory session than a strategy session, saw Weiss communicate her vision to the staff: CBS News must aim to 'win.' Since then, she has been leaving her mark on the network.
Last Friday, Weiss issued a directive to the entire CBS News team, requesting they submit a memo by Tuesday's end detailing how they allocate their time, what they are most proud of, and most importantly, their thoughts on what is currently effective, what is flawed or subpar, and how CBS News can improve.
This memo, which The Hollywood Reporter had the chance to review, can be seen as a preemptive strike in shaping Weiss's vision for the future. It also serves as a testament to her intent to be deeply engaged in the transformation of the network, despite the unusual reporting structure that places her under Paramount CEO David Ellison and Cibrowski under TV chief George Cheeks. Notably, Cibrowski has been openly supportive of Weiss during staff meetings.
The memo's request for staff to account for their time brought to mind Elon Musk's controversial memo earlier this year, which prompted employees to justify their roles. However, one CBS News employee believes that Weiss's request might be a strategic move to identify internal allies who are eager for significant changes in the news division, given her promise to keep all responses confidential.
Weiss's first week was marked by a series of meetings with anchors, producers, and other key players at CBS and Paramount in New York and Washington. She aimed to assess the current state of affairs and determine what adjustments may be necessary. As reported by The New York Times, she organized a roundtable discussion featuring former Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton, Tony Blinken, and Mike Pompeo, led by Norah O'Donnell.
The decision to bring Weiss on board has left many inside CBS scratching their heads, unsure of how to reconcile it with what Ellison communicated to staff on his first day at the helm. Yet, there is a general consensus that the news division requires a fresh start, especially considering that 60 Minutes and Sunday Morning dominate the weekends. Whether Weiss is the right person for the job is another matter entirely.
At the Bloomberg Screentime conference on Thursday, Ellison emphasized his desire to rebuild the broken civil discourse in the U.S. He highlighted that the principles of fact-based reporting and the diversity of viewpoints championed by Weiss and The Free Press align with CBS's core values.
Ultimately, the challenge is to chart a course for a television news organization in a world where everything is becoming TV, yet traditional linear TV is at risk of being left behind.
Ellison stated, “The Free Press will remain in the digital landscape, but I also believe that meeting people where they are means engaging in broadcast news, on the Free Press website, in podcasts, and eventually, directly to consumers. We aim to create a platform where all these elements converge, directly reaching the consumer. The Free Press is a catalyst in achieving this goal.”
Now, the question remains: Can Weiss lead CBS News into a new era of excellence and innovation, or will the network's journey be fraught with challenges and controversy?
