CBS News has experienced a period of significant leadership and programming changes since Bari Weiss assumed the role of editor-in-chief in early October. Her tenure has been marked by editorial controversies, internal discussions, and a revamp of "CBS Evening News" under new anchor Tony Dokoupil. These developments have generated internal staff concerns and external commentary, while leadership maintains its commitment to journalistic rigor and change.
Leadership and Strategic Direction
Bari Weiss, co-founder of the digital news and opinion platform The Free Press, became editor-in-chief of CBS News in October. Her appointment followed the acquisition of The Free Press by David Ellison's company. The Free Press has been known for critiquing perceived liberal biases in established media and advocating against certain policy frameworks.
Upon her arrival, Weiss reportedly faced skepticism from some employees and challenges related to the network's business model. Catherine Herridge, a former CBS News investigative journalist, described Weiss's objective as implementing "deep cultural change" at the network, acknowledging it as a significant challenge. Weiss addressed an internal controversy on December 22, stating her interest in operating a newsroom where "contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters" are handled with respect and an assumption of best intent.
David Ellison has reportedly shown no disillusionment with Weiss's performance. There is speculation that Weiss's role could expand if Ellison successfully acquires assets from Warner Bros Discovery, including CNN, a prospect that has reportedly raised concerns among some CNN staffers. Despite reports of internal dissent, some CBS News staffers have indicated an intent to remain at the network.
"60 Minutes" Segment Controversy
A notable incident occurred on December 20, when Weiss decided to remove a segment from a December 21 episode of 60 Minutes. The segment, reported by Sharyn Alfonsi, focused on reported abuses at the Cecot prison in El Salvador. Weiss stated that the segment had issues requiring attention, including a lack of an on-camera response from the Trump administration, which had declined to comment. The network indicated that the segment would air at a later date, likely in January.
Sharyn Alfonsi sent an email to colleagues stating that the decision to pull the piece was "political," arguing that a government's refusal to participate should not be grounds for withdrawing a story. The segment was subsequently broadcast by Canada’s Global TV service due to an operational error by CBS News and was widely shared on social media.
A group of former CBS News journalists drafted a letter, gathering nearly 200 signatories, expressing reservations regarding the editorial decision and its potential impact on 60 Minutes' role as a public interest broadcast. Organizers subsequently shelved the letter. Lowell Bergman, a former 60 Minutes producer, who was listed as a signatory, drew parallels to an incident in the mid-1990s involving a tobacco industry whistleblower. Rome Hartman, also a former 60 Minutes producer, expressed support for Alfonsi's account of events and described Weiss's explanations as less clear. A former CBS News reporter commented that such a decision is typically reserved for instances where content is found to be false and that promoting the story before pulling it could have been avoided with network TV experience.
Media industry observers have suggested a potential connection between the 60 Minutes controversy and the possibility that Weiss's appointment aims to align with the interests of former President Trump, particularly as Paramount pursues the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which would require government regulatory approval. A source close to Weiss, unauthorized to comment publicly, stated that Paramount had no involvement in the decision regarding the Alfonsi piece. Paramount previously settled a defamation lawsuit with former President Trump for $16 million, stemming from a 60 Minutes interview, with CBS News not admitting wrongdoing.
Scott Pelley, a veteran 60 Minutes correspondent, stated on December 12 that the show was maintaining its journalistic rigor and had experienced "no corporate interference of any kind," though some social media users commented that this assessment could be considered premature.
Changes at "CBS Evening News"
Tony Dokoupil assumed the anchor role of the "CBS Evening News" on Monday, succeeding John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who had co-anchored for one year. Dokoupil's arrival marks the fifth anchor change for the program since 2017. During the previous co-anchors' tenure, the program aimed to integrate more in-depth pieces but experienced a decline in viewership, falling behind "ABC World News Tonight With David Muir" and "NBC Nightly News With Tom Llamas."
Dokoupil, 45, formerly co-host of "CBS Mornings," launched his initial broadcast with a style resembling previous iterations of "CBS Evening News," featuring a close-up shot of the anchor at a desk. The previous format involved a long desk and interactions with correspondents displayed on a large screen, and the program no longer features an in-studio meteorologist for national weather reports.
A planned 10-city U.S. tour for Dokoupil, intended to connect with viewers, was delayed due to U.S. military action in Venezuela but was scheduled to begin Tuesday from Miami. Dokoupil anchored live from San Francisco on Saturday night before returning to New York for his official premiere.
In a video message, Dokoupil stated that public trust in organizations like CBS News and "legacy media" had diminished, adding that the press has, on too many occasions, "missed the story" by prioritizing the perspectives of "advocates, academics, or elites" over the "average American." On his Instagram account, he referenced Walter Cronkite, promising that the new program would be "more accountable and more transparent than Cronkite or anyone else of his era." Michael Socolow, a journalism professor and son of Cronkite's broadcast producer Sandy Socolow, responded by highlighting Cronkite's belief that the public should approach television news with skepticism and seek diverse sources of information, noting Cronkite was uncomfortable with the designation of "the most trusted man in America."
Further personnel changes at "CBS Evening News" included the dismissal of Javier Guzman, the top producer, after Wednesday evening's broadcast. Guzman had been with the show since 2017 and in his producer role for six months. No clear explanation for his departure was provided to staff by the network, though a former CBS News staffer suggested a link to the new regime's view of his adherence to journalistic norms established by previous leadership.
Internal and External Reactions
Internally, CBS News staffers have expressed confusion regarding Weiss's definition of "making news," with one staffer stating it appeared to prioritize "big names saying controversial things." A cultural disagreement occurred on November 6 concerning language choices related to transgender individuals, with a network correspondent reportedly advocating against adopting terminology from the Trans Journalists Association’s stylebook regarding "biological sex," while a producer responded in favor of using such guidance for better coverage. Staff also expressed concerns regarding a potential shift toward a pro-Trump administration posture within the network.
Weiss has faced criticism from both liberal commentators and some conservative media figures. Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson have publicly commented on Weiss, with Kelly criticizing her role in a December 13 town hall and Carlson expressing dismissive views regarding Weiss's influence.
Tony Dokoupil has also faced criticism during his initial week. Megyn Kelly criticized his emotional display during a segment about his Miami hometown, stating that while emotional reactions might be appropriate for major tragic events, they were not for personal stories on an evening news program, suggesting the incident reflected a "feminization of the newsroom." Mark Halperin, a guest on Kelly's show, agreed that the segment, which was not live, should not have been broadcast. Dokoupil also faced criticism for an interview with Cabinet Secretary Pete Hegseth, which some observers deemed too lenient, as well as for using a private jet for a promotional tour and a fumbled segment transition.
CBS News has continued to produce investigative reports, including being the first to report on Saturday about the Trump administration's responsibility for explosions in Venezuela. An event series titled "Things That Matter" has also been announced, slated to feature town halls with political figures and debates on issues such as gender and religion, sponsored by Bank of America.