Paramount Backs CBS News Editor Bari Weiss Amid Controversy

Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, has publicly affirmed its support for Bari Weiss, the network’s editor in chief, amid ongoing controversies and declining ratings for some programs.

The network issued a statement backing Weiss following a report that senior leadership had discussed modifying her role to reduce her oversight of CBS News and potentially CNN if Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery receives government approval.

“Bari has the full support of Paramount and David Ellison as the editorial leader overseeing CBS News and 60 Minutes,” a Paramount spokesperson said. “Reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.”

Weiss had no prior television experience when she assumed oversight of CBS News’ editorial operations after Ellison purchased her digital site, the Free Press, for a reported $150 million.

On Monday, Puck’s Dylan Byers reported “members of the senior leadership team have had informal discussions about changing Bari’s mandate at CBS News – and, eventually, CNN – in ways that would give her less control over the linear product.” Instead, Weiss would shift “her focus to the news division’s digital growth while maintaining broad editorial influence across all the company’s platforms.”

The report emerged amid fears that Weiss plans a drastic overhaul of “60 Minutes,” the network’s most successful program, with insiders expressing concern that the show’s hallowed standing and strong ratings could be jeopardized.

The program has already lost correspondent Anderson Cooper and is widely expected to part ways with veteran Sharyn Alfonsi, meaning its cast will look significantly different when it returns for its 59th season this fall.

A CBS News staffer who spoke with The Guardian expressed skepticism about the report, suggesting Weiss would likely need additional setbacks before any change occurs.

Puck’s reporting indicated Paramount could bring in an executive to oversee CBS News and, potentially, CNN. Currently, Weiss partners with Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News. It remains unclear whether CNN chief executive Mark Thompson would remain if the merger is approved.

One of Weiss’s top priorities upon joining CBS News was revamping the network’s evening news show, but ratings have struggled badly. Over the past five weeks, the show averaged fewer than 4 million total viewers per night, trending toward its second-lowest audience this century. The network’s flagship morning show also averaged under 2 million viewers per day, easily surpassed by NBC’s Today and ABC’s Good Morning America.