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A recent hiring of journalist Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News highlights a wider trend in US journalism toward conservative positions. The newly formed conglomerate, which owns CBS, additionally acquired Weiss's publication, the outlet she helped launch in 2021, at an estimated $150 million.

An Independent Thinker Takes the Helm

Weiss has built her professional life as a center-right commentator of progressivism. The Free Press positions itself as a contrarian, right-leaning and ardently Zionist outlet that advocates for open debate and hard truths. Notably, Weiss will answer to the conglomerate's top leader, David Ellison, bypassing the president of CBS News.

Major Networks Shift Rightward

The move signals a ongoing conservative shift among US media giants. Her personal career path mirrors a broader trend that has seen mainstream outlets evolve from supporters of the anti-Trump “resistance” to adapting to a changed landscape.

The past can seem like a different country: when Weiss resigned from the New York Times in 2020, US journalism was caught up of intense activism, with left-leaning voices seeming to dominate in many spheres.

That year, Donald Trump held the White House, but his presidency and the murder of George Floyd ignited a surge of progressive activism that affected newsrooms, executive suites, and college campuses. Organizations launched inclusion programs, professionals included pronouns in communications, and energy firms began making territorial statements.

A Turning Point at the Times

During that period, the New York Times published an op-ed by Republican senator Senator Cotton calling for the deployment of troops to quell unrest. Strong criticism and internal revolt led to the departure of the publication's top editor, Bennet.

Weiss, who was close with Bennet, left a shortly after. In a open statement, she claimed the New York Times of being narrow-minded and overly deferential to leftwing Twitter mobs. She asserted that colleagues had treated her as a outsider for her opinions.

Starting Small to Major Influence

When she revealed plans to start a publication called Common Sense, many journalists were doubtful, predicting it would cater to a limited group of disaffected centrists. Yet, in a short time later, the media landscape has changed dramatically.

• The former president has deployed military forces in American cities.
• The platform X, under Elon Musk, has evolved into a far-right hub.
• Universities are taking action on protests and dismissing faculty.
• Corporations have scaled back diversity initiatives.

Rather than a censored figure, Weiss is now poised to be one of the most powerful executives in national media, with her startup partnered with one of the oldest media names in the United States.

Adapting to Power

Major media companies appear to be going to great lengths to satisfy the current government. Last year, the president sued CBS over a news program interview with the vice-president, arguing it was edited to favor her. Although observers saw the case as frivolous, CBS's parent agreed to resolve it for $16 million.

Additional companies, including YouTube, Meta, Disney’s ABC, and X/Twitter, have also settled similar lawsuits.

Changing Times for US Media

Additional steps include CBS appointing a ex-administration figure as an ombudsman and Disney briefly dropping a host's program after FCC objections.

The political and societal climate have moved significantly to the right, and media companies are proving themselves to be sensitive indicators rather than pillars of principle.

Weiss, whatever the merits of her views, emerges as a canny operator in this transformed media environment.