CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is planning major changes to the network's '60 Minutes' program. Weiss wants to revamp '60 Minutes' after the current season ends in May and is expected to bring in new, younger correspondents more aligned with her editorially. Weiss is playing an active role in decisions that typically fall to the program's executive producer, such as staffing, and has announced plans to bring on 18 new commentators and make steep staffing cuts to align with her vision.
Weiss was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News in October after Paramount acquired her media outlet The Free Press. Media mogul David Ellison was in the process of acquiring Paramount in an eight-billion-dollar deal that required the Administration's approval. Ellison bought The Free Press for a hundred and fifty million dollars before appointing Weiss.
My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that aren't ready for whatever reason — that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices — happens every day in every newsroom.
Under Weiss and Paramount boss David Ellison, CBS News has seen significant staffing changes, including cutting about 6% of its staff and shutting down CBS Radio. Anderson Cooper announced his plan to exit as a correspondent for '60 Minutes' after nearly 20 years, citing a desire to spend more time with his kids. Sharyn Alfonsi's contract is set to expire in the next few months, and CBS staff are bracing for her potential exit. Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News and CBS Stations, is stepping down, citing inability to align with the company's new direction. '60 Minutes' executive producer Bill Owens departed citing pressure to meet corporate demands and diminishing editorial independence. Many CBS News journalists, including top '60 Minutes' producers, have quit citing interference in editorial independence.
In December, Weiss struck a '60 Minutes' segment about El Salvador's CECOT prison shortly before it was set to air. The segment eventually aired in January and pulled in about 5.1 million viewers. Weiss pulled a planned '60 Minutes' segment on allegations of abuses at an El Salvador detention center (CECOT) just before broadcast, demanding an on-the-record comment from an administration official like Stephen Miller. Weiss went on to express frustration with correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi during calls with reporters.
I think one of the best things to happen is this show and new ownership—CBS and new ownership. I think it’s the greatest thing that’s happened in a long time to a free and open and good press.
It was Trump's first appearance on CBS since filing a lawsuit against it, claiming that '60 Minutes' had unfairly edited an interview with Kamala Harris. CBS's parent company Paramount agreed to pay Trump sixteen million dollars to settle the lawsuit. CBS said in 2024 that Trump's lawsuit was 'completely without merit' and they would vigorously defend against it.
On Halloween, a production team from '60 Minutes' went to Mar-a-Lago for an interview that correspondent Norah O'Donnell was conducting with Donald Trump. Weiss introduced herself to President Donald Trump and exchanged kisses on the cheek with him after his '60 Minutes' interview in November. Paramount CEO Shari Redstone expressed concerns about how CBS News covers Trump. Many in the industry viewed Weiss's hiring as an attempt to appease President Trump to ensure the Paramount deal's approval.
Not an editorial decision, it is a political one.
CBS News announced that 'Face the Nation' would no longer edit its interviews except for legal or national security reasons, seen as a response to political pressure after editing an interview with Kristi Noem. Kenneth R. Weinstein, a prominent conservative and former Trump nominee, was appointed as ombudsman for CBS News. Weiss tapped Tony Dokoupil to anchor a reboot of 'CBS Evening News'.
The FCC is investigating the Harris interview in response to a complaint from the Center for American Rights. Stephen Colbert said CBS blocked the broadcast of his interview with James Talarico.
She held the story because it wasn't ready and 'did not advance the ball' beyond what other outlets had reported.
Industry reactions and concerns about editorial independence have intensified amid these changes. Many in the industry viewed Weiss's hiring as an attempt to appease President Trump to ensure the Paramount deal's approval. Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News and CBS Stations, is stepping down, citing inability to align with the company's new direction. '60 Minutes' executive producer Bill Owens departed citing pressure to meet corporate demands and diminishing editorial independence. Many CBS News journalists, including top '60 Minutes' producers, have quit citing interference in editorial independence.
What specific changes Bari Weiss plans to implement at '60 Minutes' beyond staffing and timing are not yet detailed, and whether Sharyn Alfonsi's contract will be renewed or if she will leave CBS News remains uncertain. How many more staff departures are expected at CBS News under the new leadership is also unknown.
I’m here to tell you that if we stick to that [focusing on broadcast] strategy, we’re toast.