Anderson Cooper’s ’60 Minutes’ farewell intensifies Bari Weiss scrutiny at CBS

For months, the turmoil surrounding CBS News has simmered behind the scenes, with nervous executives, frustrated producers, sagging ratings, newsroom leaks, and growing whispers that one of America’s most iconic television news divisions is losing its institutional footing.A series of damaging reports across the media industry has intensified scrutiny of CBS News chief Bari Weiss, the queer, anti-trans former New York Times opinion editor and founder of The Free Press, who was elevated last year to the upper ranks of broadcast leadership despite little traditional television management experience.The clearest sign yet of the unrest arrived from one of the network’s most recognizable journalists, longtime gay correspondent Anderson Cooper. Cooper announced his departure in February.During his farewell appearance on 60 Minutes last week, Cooper offered what many inside the industry interpreted as a carefully calibrated warning about the future of the legendary program.“I hope 60 Minutes remains 60 Minutes,” Cooper said, while emphasizing that the show’s “independence” had been “critical.”Related: Anderson Cooper steps down as '60 Minutes' correspondent after two decadesAccording to reports from Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter and coverage from multiple outlets, Weiss was furious and blindsided by the remarks, which reportedly aired without her advance knowledge. The moment fueled an already growing perception that CBS News is in the midst of an ideological and institutional identity crisis.In recent weeks, mounting concern among executives tied to Paramount Global and Skydance leadership about the state of the network under Weiss’ stewardship has emerged, The New Republic reports.Publicly, Paramount has continued to defend her, insisting that she retains the confidence of the leadership and the incoming owner, David Ellison. Privately, however, media reports suggest discussions have emerged around whether Weiss’ role overseeing core broadcast