Billionaire-Backed CBS News Appoints Bari Weiss Amid Partisan Influence Concerns

Billionaire's Acquisition of CBS News Raises Concerns Over Partisan Influence In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, billionaire David Ellison's company Skydance acquired CBS through its parent company Paramount in 2025. The latest development in this saga is the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News, a decision that has been met with alarm by media watchdogs and critics. Weiss, a conservative commentator and founder of the right-wing outlet The Free Press, was appointed to lead the massive CBS News journalism operation after Ellison acquired her publication. This move has dropped the pretense of any independence at the network, which has not exactly been hostile to right-wing politics in the U.S. "This is a clear attempt by David Ellison to inject partisan influence into one of the largest and most respected news organizations in the country," said Eoin Higgins, author of Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voice on the Left. "Only a billionaire could look at the sclerotic state of network television news and conclude that the problem is that coverage is not sufficiently to the right." The appointment of Weiss has been met with criticism from media watchdogs, who point out her history of promoting conspiracy theories and demonizing Palestinians and their advocates. The Free Press, under Weiss's leadership, has been accused of stoking genocide denial and spreading misinformation. "Bari Weiss's elevation to editor-in-chief is a clear indication that CBS News is willing to compromise its journalistic integrity for the sake of profit and partisan influence," said Higgins. "This is a worrying trend in the media landscape, where billionaire owners are increasingly using their power to shape the narrative and silence dissenting voices." The acquisition of CBS by Skydance marks the latest development in the consolidation of media ownership by tech billionaires. The move has sparked concerns over the impact on independent journalism and the erosion of trust in mainstream media. "We need to be vigilant about the influence of billionaire owners on our news organizations," said Higgins. "We must ensure that our media remains free from partisan interference and continues to serve the public interest." As the situation unfolds, critics are calling for greater transparency and accountability from CBS News and its new owner, David Ellison. The implications of this development will be closely watched by media observers and experts in the field. Background: The acquisition of CBS by Skydance marks a significant shift in the media landscape. With the rise of tech billionaires as media owners, concerns over partisan influence and journalistic integrity have grown. This trend has been documented in Eoin Higgins's book Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voice on the Left. Additional Perspectives: Media watchdogs and critics are calling for greater transparency and accountability from CBS News and its new owner, David Ellison. The appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief has sparked widespread criticism, with many pointing out her history of promoting conspiracy theories and demonizing Palestinians and their advocates. Current Status and Next Developments: The situation is unfolding rapidly, with critics calling for greater transparency and accountability from CBS News and its new owner, David Ellison. The implications of this development will be closely watched by media observers and experts in the field. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of independent journalism hangs in the balance. Attributions: Eoin Higgins, author of Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voice on the Left Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News and founder of The Free Press David Ellison, billionaire owner of Skydance *Reporting by Theintercept.*