Bari Weiss to Join CBS News Leadership Following Paramount’s Acquisition of Free Press

September 3, 2025 - New York, NY

Bari Weiss, founder of the independent news outlet Free Press, is poised to assume a senior leadership role at CBS News after Paramount Global advances its planned acquisition of her media venture for nearly $200 million.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Paramount’s legal team is finalizing terms for the transaction, which would bring Free Press under Paramount’s news division and install Weiss in a top editorial position at CBS News. The deal, first reported by Puck and confirmed by TheWrap, aligns with Paramount CEO David Ellison’s ambition to broaden the network’s political reach and balance perceived liberal biases in mainstream media.

Weiss established Free Press in 2022 following her departure from the New York Times’ Opinion section. Since then, she has cultivated a reputation for challenging progressive orthodoxies and elevating dissenting perspectives on issues ranging from free speech to cultural debates. Proponents of the acquisition argue that Weiss’ independent credentials and substantial subscriber base will strengthen CBS News’ appeal to conservative and centrist audiences. Critics, however, warn that her transition from opinion journalist to news executive may spark internal opposition and trigger staff departures, especially among journalists wary of her previous stances on figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel.

Paramount has declined to comment on the specifics of the sale or Weiss’ prospective role. CBS News also issued no official statement. Insiders speculate that the final purchase price may fall below the originally reported $200 million as negotiations conclude. Paramount is understood to have committed to instituting an internal ombudsman to safeguard newsroom impartiality-a stipulation stemming from regulatory discussions during the Skydance merger, which saw the network settle a $16 million lawsuit with the previous administration over a contentious “60 Minutes” interview.

As Paramount moves to expand its news portfolio, industry observers will closely watch how Weiss navigates the transition from her outspoken, opinion-driven background to overseeing a legacy broadcast newsroom renowned for figures like Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow. The deal’s completion and Weiss’ exact title at CBS News are expected to be announced once final approvals are secured.