A social media post on Friday revealed that many left-leaning journalists and public personalities are upset about CBS News naming Bari Weiss, co-founder of Free Press, as its new editor-in-chief.
Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, is anticipated to announce a deal that includes the acquisition of Free Press, an organization founded by Weiss and her partner Nellie Bowles. Critics are expressing anger over Weiss’s appointment, particularly due to her pro-Israel views and her perceived detachment from leftist ideology.
“Naming Bari Weiss as editor of CBS News is pointless,” said Cenk Uygur, a notable figure from The Young Turks. “She has a well-known bias towards Israel. That’s actually what secured her the job, according to reports.” This statement has been echoed by others who question the integrity of her leadership.
In a tweet, Uygur claimed that Weiss’s strong pro-Israel perspective was a significant factor in her hiring, which was supposedly appealing to Paramount’s CEO David Ellison.
MSNBC host Chris Hayes drew parallels between Weiss and Vice President JD Vance, suggesting they possess similar skills, noting how Weiss seems positioned alongside right-wing sentiments, reminiscent of support for President Trump. Though she doesn’t identify strictly as conservative, her approaches have led to perceptions of her as moderate.
“Bari Weiss and JD Vance share very similar attributes and talents,” Hayes noted on a social media platform.
Political consultant Chris Sosa criticized Weiss as a “right-wing actor,” believing her leadership could harm CBS News’s reputation for impartiality. He expressed concern for the established journalists within the organization.
“If it’s true that Paramount is doing this to CBS News, it’s catastrophic. A right-wing figure like Weiss shouldn’t lead a news organization that aims for objectivity,” Sosa remarked.
Users on Bluesky have described CBS News’s direction as guided by an “unethical and talentless hack” who caters to wealthy elites.
Transgender activist Alejandra Carabaro accused Weiss of pandering to biases favored by “oligarchs,” suggesting that Weiss’s only true appeal lies in her alignment with powerful interests instead of journalistic integrity.
Ida Bae Wells from the New York Times raised concerns about diversity and merit, emphasizing that Weiss is unqualified for her position due to her lack of reporting experience.
“If it wasn’t apparent, the anti-DEI movements never demonstrated actual merit. Weiss hasn’t reported news and yet she’s become editor-in-chief of a major news outlet,” Wells stated.
National columnist John Gantz labeled Weiss an “important fantasy” that undermines American institutions, claiming her actions have been detrimental.
Weiss previously resigned from the New York Times in 2020, citing “constant bullying” from colleagues and an unsupportive environment, leading her to establish the Free Press in 2021.
