CBS News’ new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, is moving quickly to reshape the network’s editorial direction and broaden its political voices. Weiss, who built The Free Press after leaving The New York Times over what she described as a hostile, ideologically rigid newsroom culture, is reportedly looking to bring conservative perspectives into CBS’s ranks in an effort to balance its coverage.
One of her targets is CNN political commentator Scott Jennings, according to a report from Semafor.
Via NY Post:
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss is reportedly keen on poaching conservative commentator Scott Jennings from CNN.
The two met at the Tiffany Network’s New York headquarters last week, according to the news site Semafor.
The new CBS News boss’ reported overture to Jennings comes during a time of flux at the network.
The Post reported on Monday that John Dickerson, co-anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” is leaving the network at the end of the year.
Dickerson, who will continue to co-anchor the nightly newscast with Maurice DuBois until his departure, is set to exit as the entire news division at CBS braces for a round of painful job cuts.
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A CNN spokesperson declined to comment. The Post has sought comment from Jennings, CBS News and Weiss.
A CNN spokesperson declined to comment on whether Jennings is in talks to leave.
If Jennings were to join CBS, it would represent a significant shift in the direction Weiss appears to be taking the newsroom—toward ideological diversity that she argues has been missing in legacy media. While some see the move as an effort to restore credibility, critics on the left are already framing it as a tilt toward conservative media influence.
Whether Jennings accepts or not, it signals Weiss is serious about changing CBS News—and the reaction from the political left, if he joins, is likely to be loud.