In a newsroom accustomed to routine reporting and carefully vetted stories, CBS News experienced a jolt this week.
Bari Weiss, the newly appointed editor-in-chief, left the team momentarily speechless when she directly challenged them to reflect on public perceptions of bias.
The moment, described by multiple insiders, revealed the tension between journalistic self-perception and audience skepticism.
A Question That Stunned 60 Minutes
During a private meeting on Tuesday, Weiss posed a strikingly simple yet powerful question to the staff of 60 Minutes: “Why does the country think you’re biased?”
According to The New York Times, the blunt seven-word inquiry caught reporters and anchors off guard, leaving them struggling to answer.
Among the team were household names like Anderson Cooper, who also anchors at CNN, and veteran journalist Lesley Stahl, both of whom pride themselves on impartial reporting.
Journalists Defend Their Neutrality
Sources told the NY Times that 60 Minutes reporters have long viewed themselves as objective and balanced.
The suggestion, frequently circulated by Donald Trump and other conservative voices, that their reporting leans left has been met with strong resistance.
Weiss’ question, though straightforward, sparked an unusual moment of reflection and unease among a team that considers neutrality central to its identity.
Weiss’ Controversial Arrival at CBS
Weiss, 41, is a polarizing figure whose reputation as a centrist and vocal opinion journalist precedes her.
She joined CBS News with a promise to deliver reporting for Americans she feels have been underserved by mainstream media.
Her background is unconventional for a broadcast newsroom: she co-founded The Free Press, previously served as an opinion editor at The New York Times, and left that role citing the company’s “illiberal environment” in 2020.
Though her official start date was October 6, insiders say Weiss had been informally consulting for CBS prior to that.
Her hiring, under the leadership of new Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison—son of billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison—raised eyebrows across the newsroom.
CBS’ Tumultuous Year
The network’s recent history has been anything but smooth.
In October 2024, former President Donald Trump sued CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming it had been deceptively edited.
Paramount eventually settled the case for $16 million, clearing the path for its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media in August 2025.
Meanwhile, 60 Minutes faced heavy criticism for its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Lesley Stahl drew particular scrutiny over an interview with former Hamas hostage Keith Siegel, who recounted his 484 days in captivity.
Stahl’s questions about whether he was intentionally starved sparked backlash from conservative commentators, accusing her of showing sympathy for Hamas.
Leadership Shakeups and Future Prospects
The controversy coincided with leadership changes, including the resignations of 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens and CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon, both citing concerns over the network’s direction.
Yet, even Trump has acknowledged potential for improvement under Weiss and Ellison, telling CNN that CBS “has great potential” and may become “fairer” under their stewardship.