Bari Weiss, the newly appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, has announced that she will be pausing her popular podcast “Honestly” for a few short months as she navigates her new high-profile position.
In a candid announcement, Weiss acknowledged the “huge responsibility” that comes with leading the network, which has been embroiled in a series of controversies and plummeting staff morale. The break from her podcast, which she launched in May 2021, will allow Weiss to focus on her new role and bring the values that have driven “Honestly” to a “much bigger arena.”
Weiss, who has been at the centre of media attention in recent months, cited the “serious thinking” she has delivered across more than 400 episodes of “Honestly” as the inspiration for her mission at CBS News. She vowed to take the vision and principles that have resonated with her podcast audience and apply them to the network’s coverage.
However, Weiss’s transition to CBS News has not been without its challenges. The airing of the long-delayed “Inside CECOT” segment on 60 Minutes this week, which Weiss had initially spiked, has drawn criticism from some network veterans who feel her editorial decision-making is undermining the organization.
Reports suggest that 60 Minutes correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley, who have pushed back against Weiss’s directives, may now be at risk of losing their jobs. Weiss has also instituted more oversight of the venerable news magazine, a departure from its traditional autonomy within CBS News.
As Weiss continues to put her stamp on the network, her “MAGA-coded” reboot of the CBS Evening News, featuring new anchor Tony Dokoupil, has faced technical issues and soft ratings. Now, she is reportedly eyeing the replacement of Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan, a long-serving CBS News veteran.
Despite the controversies, Weiss remains committed to her mission of bringing the values of “Honestly” to a wider audience through her leadership at CBS News. Her temporary pause of the podcast is seen as a necessary step to navigate the challenges and opportunities of her new role.
