*CBS News is reportedly facing deep internal discord under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, according to multiple sources.
Variety reports that staffers question Weiss’ experience managing mainstream media, while veteran journalists raise concerns about editorial standards under her hand-picked team. Recent decisions have fueled skepticism about CBS News’ credibility. Among these, Tony Dokoupil was rushed into his “Evening News” anchor role with limited promotion, an Erika Kirk town hall aired without mainstream advertising, and a “60 Minutes” segment was withdrawn after its announcement.
Weiss has also turned her attention to “CBS Mornings,” where host Gayle King’s $15 million annual salary is reportedly viewed as unsustainable. King is reportedly considering either a special correspondent role with occasional appearances or staying for a year at reduced pay. We reported earlier that the 71-year-old broadcast veteran has secured a new agreement with the network that dramatically reduces both her workload and compensation, according to sources close to the situation.
RadarOnline reports that King will now earn $10 million annually while transitioning to a part-time position at “CBS Good Morning.” Network insiders revealed to Hollywood journalist Rob Shuter, writing on Substack, that King actively shaped the terms of her new arrangement.
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“Gayle called the shots,” one source said. “She knew exactly what she wanted – less work, less stress, but still the spotlight.” A different insider suggested the timing aligned with CBS’s financial needs, stating: “CBS loves her, but they also needed to make adjustments.” The source added, “This was a perfect compromise. She keeps her profile, they cut costs, everyone wins.”
Under the revised terms, King will concentrate on special assignments rather than daily anchoring duties. “She didn’t just take a pay cut. She traded hours, meetings, and daily grind for the freedom to do special segments and interviews she actually wants to do,” one source explained.
Since joining CBS in October after Paramount’s $150 million acquisition of her conservative-opinion site The Free Press, Weiss has emphasized more coverage of the Trump administration. Staffers had hoped she would strengthen CBS News’ digital properties, but her startup-style approach has proven exhausting. There are also expectations that she may revamp CBS’ streaming service, potentially shifting toward more talk-heavy podcasts.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean for leadership studies at Yale, warns of a rapid “degradation of CBS News” that could trigger a “death spiral” that is “hard to reverse.” He says producers and reporters must challenge Weiss more consistently to correct course.
“When you have that kind of chaos, what you see people do is they retreat to safety. They don’t want to rise. They don’t want to look as if they are identified as anybody’s person,” says Sonnenfeld.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Gayle King Accepts Pay Cut for Part-Time CBS Role: ‘Gayle Called the Shots’
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