David Ellison promised editorial independence for CBS News in a call with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl this week, seeking to ease fears over Bari Weiss’ stormy tenure leading Paramount’s news division, individuals with knowledge told TheWrap.
Meanwhile, Paramount is looking for a business executive to help Weiss lead the news division after the Paramount/Warner Bros. merger.
The Paramount CEO made the promise in a call to “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl on Sunday. This marks one of the first signs that the chief executive is making moves to calm the turmoil caused by the firing of the program’s leadership and several of its star correspondents. Those fears also come with growing concern for the future of CNN, which would fall under Ellison and Weiss’ purview after the completion of the merger later this year.
Behind the scenes, Paramount leadership is reportedly searching for a new business executive to help Weiss run the conglomerate’s combined news division, which would include both CBS News and CNN, with Axios reporting meetings with potential hires are under way.
But an individual with knowledge took it a step further, telling TheWrap “there is no intention” for Weiss herself to run the combined news operation. The individual noted that Weiss was “out of the realm of possibility” to lead as early as three weeks ago, before the “60 Minutes” controversy erupted across media platforms.
A spokesperson for Paramount declined to comment on the potential executive search, or Weiss’ potential responsibilities in the combined company.
Questions about the future of CBS News flared up last week in the aftermath of firings at “60 Minutes” conducted by new executive producer Nick Bilton, a Weiss hire with no prior broadcast journalism experience. The highest-profile exit was that of longtime correspondent Scott Pelley, who was outed from the newsmagazine after a confrontation with Bilton last week at his first staff meeting, where he accused him and Weiss of “murdering” the news program.
Stahl, along with remaining “60 Minutes” stars Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim, opted to stay with the program by the end of last week — promising their decision was more about ensuring the show’s future rather than an endorsement on the changes made by Bilton. Since then questions about Weiss’ future at Paramount continue to swirl, with Ellison maintaining his public confidence Weiss amid the media storm.
The post David Ellison Promises CBS News Independence as Leadership Seeks Support for Bari Weiss appeared first on TheWrap.
