Six network employees expressed a mix of emotions over the appointment in conversations with the Guardian

CBS News staffers are coming to terms with the news that controversial commentator Bari Weiss is their new editor-in-chief, as the storied network’s owner Paramount Skydance acquires her Substack-based publication the Free Press in a reported $150m deal.

In conversations with the Guardian, six current network employees expressed a mixture of apprehension, skepticism and frustration over the appointment. “A throwing up emoji is not enough of a reflection of the feelings in here,” one particularly incensed CBS News employee said in a text message.

“It’s utterly depressing. Somebody who has zero experience in television news or even hard news for that matter… but with a clearly defined political agenda,” said another staffer. “It’s hard to see this as anything more than an attempt to bend the knee completely.”

  • Optional@lemmy.world
    201·
    3 days ago

    though several stressed they wanted to wait to see what it would really mean for their network – and themselves.

    Aw. Hon.

    The unusual structure built around Weiss’s new position has also raised eyebrows. She will report directly to Ellison, rather than Cibrowski or George Cheeks, who leads Paramount’s TV business.

    “It is still unclear to me how she is going to actually work,” a former CBS News insider said. “I am not sure there is any other network that has this structure. It is unclear to me … exactly how she is going to wield this power.”

    Well it’s definitely going to be a trainwreck. There’s going to be huge embarrassment all around, and people will be leaping out of the windows by New Year’s.

    Billionaires are so goddamned dumb.

    “Ruling by edict from the top won’t be enough to change things,” the person said. “She’ll need lieutenants in the trenches cracking whips over our heads.”

    Weiss, in her own memo to CBS News staffers, said she plans to spend the next few days and weeks getting to know them. “I want to hear from you about what’s working, what isn’t, and your thoughts on how we can make CBS News the most trusted news organization in America and the world.”

    Ending on a magnanimous note, Weiss wrote: “I’m profoundly honored to join you – and I can’t wait to get started.”

    You’re not joining anyone. This billionaire fuckwit just bought these people and handed them to you. Basic organizational communications is already gone. You’re fucked either way.

    Sort of reminds me when John Bolton was made UN ambassador. At least he already had a drinking problem. This woman hasn’t even had her face lifted yet.

    • Omega@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 days ago

      What hasn’t been working? Giving talking space to right wing extremists and withholding context instead of unbridled information due to fears of being considered partisan. But I doubt that’s what they’re going to be fixing.

    • Zaktor@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      51·
      3 days ago

      Billionaires don’t buy media to make a profit. If they ruin their reputation with half their audience, but get to disrupt a pathway to mainstream criticism while also still smuggling through propaganda for the ones who stay, that’s a good investment.

      • Optional@lemmy.world
        4·
        3 days ago

        Well yeah. And that’s been the case since at least the 50s, and despite the overwhelming blatant obviousness of it, mass media studies still regularly report media has no effect on its audience/victims. Because to question that is to undermine it. God, can you just imagine a world where people weren’t influenced to consume or react to various stimuli? It’d be mayhem!