CBS News’ new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, made headlines this week after putting the 60 Minutes team on the spot with a bold question about how viewers perceive their reporting.
Known for her outspoken stance against “woke” culture and her self-proclaimed centrist approach, Weiss asked the program’s journalists a question that left many stunned.
During a private meeting on Tuesday, Weiss reportedly asked: “Why does the country think you’re biased?” Sources told The New York Times that the seven-word inquiry left 60 Minutes staff, including veterans like Anderson Cooper and Lesley Stahl, momentarily speechless.
The journalists, who have long seen themselves as impartial, were reportedly unsure how to respond.
A Controversial Choice for CBS
Weiss, 41, officially took the reins at CBS News on October 6 but had been informally consulting with the network for some time.
Her arrival has already stirred debate in the newsroom, given her background as a vocal opinion writer with no prior broadcast experience.
She co-founded The Free Press, previously worked as an opinion editor at The New York Times, and left the publication in 2020 citing its “illiberal environment.”
Her hiring under Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of billionaire Larry Ellison, added to the headlines.
CBS staff have expressed mixed reactions, especially after a tumultuous year that included lawsuits, leadership changes, and criticism of the network’s coverage of global events.
60 Minutes’ History of Criticism
The long-running news magazine has faced accusations of bias from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump, who sued CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, claiming it was deceptively edited.
Paramount eventually settled the case for $16 million, clearing the path for an $8 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount.
60 Minutes also faced heavy scrutiny over its reporting on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl was criticized by conservatives after questioning former Hamas hostage Keith Siegel about whether his captors deliberately starved him.
The network’s handling of the interview intensified debates about journalistic balance and fairness.
A Rocky Road in the Newsroom
CBS has seen multiple leadership shakeups over the past year.
Executive Producer Bill Owens and CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon both resigned amid concerns about the network’s direction.
Weiss’ arrival, combined with Ellison’s leadership, signals a new era that some insiders hope will steer CBS News toward broader appeal and perceived neutrality.
Despite prior conflicts with the network, Trump recently expressed optimism about the changes, telling CNN that CBS has “great potential” under Weiss and Ellison.
Whether Weiss’ push for a centrist approach will reshape 60 Minutes remains to be seen, but her first weeks have already sparked conversation and controversy.