Addressing her staff three months into her job as CBS News boss, Bari Weiss invoked Walter Cronkite as a symbol of traditional journalism and warned that without significant changes, we're toast. Weiss announced the hiring of 18 new contributors and called for CBS News to engage in surprise and provoke its audience, even from within the newsroom.
Bari Weiss, founder of the Free Press website and a relatively new figure in broadcast journalism, has already made headlines, including a controversial episode involving a delayed 60 Minutes report on President Trump's deportation policies. During her speech at CBS, she framed her role as that of a change agent.
Weiss stressed that serious changes are needed if CBS News wants to thrive in a competitive landscape. Not enough people trust us, she said, indicating a loss to various other media platforms. She criticized the network's previous strategy of focusing on traditional broadcast television, warning that clinging to this model could jeopardize CBS's relevance moving forward.
As an alternative, Weiss advocated for a 'streaming mentality' where CBS News became a hub for innovative ideas, developing content such as podcasts and newsletters to attract a wider audience.
Weiss believes in building investigative reporting that goes beyond fleeting news cycles, stating, This is where we can soar — and where we'll be investing. She envisions CBS News as the best capitalized media start-up in the world, emphasizing the need for rapid experimentation and adaptation.
During her address, Weiss hinted at a transformation of the workforce, aiming for a newsroom that better reflects the current political landscape while ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in their reporting.
Among the new contributors announced were figures like Niall Ferguson, Masih Alinejad, and former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, all of whom are expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise as CBS News navigates its new direction.
