Bari Weiss faces mounting criticism as CBS News turmoil deepens

Paramount CEO David Ellison has pledged editorial independence for CBS News and is seeking a senior business executive to help run the combined news division that will include CBS and CNN after the Paramount‑Warner Bros. merger. The promise comes amid internal unrest following the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor‑in‑chief of the news division.

Weiss's eight‑month tenure has seen a wave of departures at "60 Minutes," with seven of ten correspondents, the veteran executive producer, and other senior staff dismissed. Former staff allege political interference, such as the spiking of a story on Venezuelan migrants and pressure to reshape coverage of ICE actions. Remaining anchors Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim have stayed but warned they could leave if editorial independence is not preserved. Critics argue Weiss’s management has damaged the flagship program, while CBS News contends the changes are routine editorial oversight.