Paramount buys The Free Press, Bari Weiss joins CBS leadership

The freshly formed media company, Paramount Skydance, planned to acquire the independent news and commentary outlet The Free Press, according to a Monday announcement. Former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss launched the outlet in 2021 and will now serve as editor-in-chief at Paramount’s CBS News.

Much of Weiss’ career has not been in mainstream media. Before building The Free Press, she quit the New York Times in 2020, complaining in a public resignation letter that the newspaper was stifling diverse viewpoints. She grew up in a Jewish family and has written about religious topics. She is married to another woman, Nellie Bowles. The couple used a fertility clinic and has two children.

Why does this deal make sense for Weiss and CBS? Paramount CEO David Ellison described Weiss as a champion of principled, independent journalism. A majority of Americans long for news that’s balanced and fact-based, and CBS wants to house that, he said. Weiss’ drive and editorial vision will invigorate CBS News to modernize content and connect with international audiences, Ellison added. The Free Press would lift its paywall for a week starting Monday to introduce millions of Americans to its content, Paramount said. Those who register will have full access to videos, commentary, and nightly livestreams, along with other content.

Weiss also celebrated the acquisition, describing it as an opportunity for a larger and more diverse audience to receive fearless and independent journalism. This acquisition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for The Free Press to reach even further and reshape a historic media organization, she wrote in a separate Monday statement.

Will The Free Press still be independent? Weiss said that she would keep her title as CEO and editor-in-chief at The Free Press, in addition to her new CBS title. The Free Press will remain independent and subscribers will still get the daily reports, features, columns, and podcasts they expect, Weiss said. Paramount will allow The Free Press to grow faster, she said. This agreement would not have been brokered had Ellison not taken over Paramount earlier this summer, Weiss added. The new leadership team believes in news, and it understands that Americans can't thrive without common facts and truths, she said.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report on Pamount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump for editing his interview.