Paramount Global installed Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News in October 2025, following its $150 million acquisition of The Free Press, the independent publication Weiss founded in early 2021. Since then, the network has undergone significant structural and personnel changes, including the dismissal of Scott Pelley, a 37-year veteran who was one of the most prominent figures at 60 Minutes, along with members of his team. In an interview published Sunday by The New York Times, Pelley alleged that Weiss and CBS corporate leadership showed strong bias in favor of President Trump and interfered with editorial decision-making.
The changes have prompted questions about whether CBS News has shifted its editorial direction since the Paramount acquisition. AllSides, a media bias rating organization, conducted reviews in December 2025 and January 2026 to assess whether CBS's long-standing Lean Left rating needed adjustment. The outlet has held that rating since 2017.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive commentators and some former CBS employees argue that the network is moving rightward under Weiss's leadership. Media critics such as Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, have voiced concerns about CBS's shifting coverage. Critics point to Pelley's allegations of Trump-aligned bias as evidence that editorial independence has been compromised. Some on the left suggest that Weiss's public criticism of progressive orthodoxy and her stated views on cultural issues represent a fundamental departure from traditional CBS journalism standards.
Progressive commentators also note that many of the new contributors brought in from The Free Press share similar viewpoints, reducing ideological diversity within the newsroom. Concerns have been raised about coverage of international affairs, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine, with some left-leaning observers arguing that pro-Israel framing has become more pronounced under the new editorial leadership.
What the Right Is Saying
Supporters of the changes argue that CBS News needed reform after years of perceived liberal bias. Conservative commentators such as Megyn Kelly have suggested that Weiss represents a breath of fresh air in mainstream journalism, pushing back against what they characterize as progressive groupthink. Some on the right contend that criticism of Weiss stems primarily from her willingness to challenge prevailing narratives rather than any substantive editorial failures.
Defenders point out that AllSides' own analysis found no significant change in CBS's overall bias rating. They argue that bringing in perspectives outside traditional liberal consensus improves journalistic balance. Some conservative voices have praised the network for its coverage of stories such as the Minnesota Somali fraud case, suggesting it represented more aggressive original reporting than competitors provided during the final days of 2025.
What the Numbers Show
AllSides conducted a multi-pronged review of CBS News in December 2025 and January 2026. The editorial panel did not find sufficient evidence to change the outlet's Lean Left rating, which it has maintained since 2017. Nearly 400 Americans across the political spectrum participated in blind bias surveys as part of the evaluation.
In terms of staffing: Weiss laid off approximately 100 employees when she took over in fall 2025. In March 2026, CBS cut its radio division, affecting an estimated 60 to 70 staff members. The network also fired core personnel from its flagship 60 Minutes program beyond Pelley himself.
AllSides rates The Free Press Lean Right, noting that its coverage is very pro-Israel and critical of what it terms 'woke' culture while not fully aligning with populist right-wing positions. As of the most recent evaluation in February 2026, Julie Mastrine, AllSides Director of Communications and Bias Services, stated that anecdotal evidence suggests increased pro-Israel framing at CBS, consistent with Weiss's known views.
The Bottom Line
The debate over CBS News's editorial direction reflects broader tensions in American media about balance, bias, and the role of individual editors in shaping coverage. While quantitative analysis has not detected a dramatic ideological shift, structural changes and personnel decisions have raised concerns among journalists and commentators across the political spectrum.
What to watch: Whether AllSides will adjust its CBS rating based on future reviews, how the network's audience figures respond to the new editorial approach, and whether additional veteran journalists depart amid ongoing organizational restructuring.