Bari Weiss Requiring Journalism Standards Has Journalists Outraged

Over at CBS, Bari Weiss has stepped into her role as the new editor-in-chief of the news division. The gnashing of teeth from those inside the network has been rather amazing. One of the common critiques heard is that she has no experience in running a television division. We are curious to learn, does TV journalism carry a different set of standards of reporting than seen in other forms of media?

Despite the shrieks, all she has done to this point is introduce herself and provide a bullet point program for what she expects from staffers going forward.

In her first note to CBS News staffers, Bari Weiss lists 10 "core journalistic values that have defined this profession since the beginning" and says "I will continue to champion them alongside you:" pic.twitter.com/mFCn1Pg8ON

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 6, 2025

The amusement is how this has generated outrage from within. Many staff members have been leaking details out to other sources (such as Mehdi Hasan, of all people), and those who have voiced their disgust are telling on themselves far more than they are wounding Weiss to this point.

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When this is your reaction to being told you are expected to be held to basic journalism principles, it appears pretty clear where the problems in the network come to rest.

Several CBS News employees I have spoken with said they are in "wait-and-see" mode.

One was more blunt: "A throwing up emoji is not enough of a reflection of the feelings in here."

— Jeremy Barr (@jeremymbarr) October 6, 2025

Newseum Art Installation – SALON

Adding to the anti-Bari Weiss hysterics, the benefactors at Salon delivered this gem of artwork.

Let's see now...
At @Salon they suggest Bari Weiss, who has no journalism scandals on her resume, is WORSE than the disgraced Dan Rather?! #Newseum pic.twitter.com/3LSNBeyXgn

— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) October 7, 2025

Both Kinds of Standards – MSNBC

• Hold on, we have been told this is an act of aggression towards journalists…?

So, about that 10-point plan of journalism standards offending the staff at CBS News?

MSNBC just officially separated from NBC News, and the Versant executives delivered their own set of – get this – 10 points of journalism standards the new network configuration is expected to follow.

It almost appears that this is considered offensive, not based on the content of the directive, but on who is delivering said directive.

After more than 29 years of association with NBC News, MSNBC will split off today to establish its own newsgathering operation.

Read the Q&A about MSNBC leadership’s 10 core principles (and more stories) in today’s Poynter Report, our Monday-Friday media industry newsletter:…

— Poynter (@Poynter) October 6, 2025

BlueAnon – MSNBC

• The lack of outrage from the “misinformation police” (ahem, Mr. Stelter…) is rather noticeable.

One of the jarring visuals of the week was South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein's roaring house fire. Speculation had been rampant that this was intentionally set by somebody on the Right, since she was one of those who ruled against President Trump from her bench.

While this baseless level of accusation is expected from the anonymous swarms on social media, to see journalists resorting to this level of empty reporting is rather disturbing. Nicolle Wallace was bold enough to come out and invoke President Trump in her fact-free version of journalism.

MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace and Mary McCord tried to blame Trump for the fire at the house of the South Carolina judge.

In a proper society these people would be taken off the air. pic.twitter.com/yK8X6vSttX

— MAZE (@mazemoore) October 7, 2025

Now that authorities in the area have ruled out arson or foul play, it remains to be seen what action, if any, will result from the disgraceful example of reporting.

Pounce of Prevention – ASSOCIATED PRESS

• Despite this story growing worse by the day, apparently, there are only two possible perspectives.

The issues surrounding Democrat Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones and his calls to see a GOP opponent shot in the head and proclaiming his kids should die continue to swell. That is, unless you rely on the AP to cover the story.

The news syndicate has only managed two articles on the matter, and it is rather clear that it does not intend to explore things any further. The AP's approach is as follows: It is an old issue, and since the Republicans are focused on it, it is deemed a dead story.

Here is a look at how the @AP is attempting to bury the Jay Jones "bullets to the head" text messages.
They first hold up this exchange as old news ("2022 texts"), then strive to dismiss it as merely a story that "Trump's GOP seizes on".
2 reports, then moving on... pic.twitter.com/JhCKd6bsy7

— Brad Slager: CNN+ Lifetime Subscriber (@MartiniShark) October 7, 2025

Low-Octane Gaslighting – THE NEW YORK TIMES

• He seems drunk on Pinot Noir again…

It is becoming clear that New York Times fixture Nicholas Kristof is not at all interested in seeking out accurate information on the battles on the streets of Portland, Ore. Instead, he is intent on crafting false narratives to protect his cherished area from appearing like a left-wing psych ward.

One of the common practices these days from so-called serious-minded journos is to present idyllic images from city locations in a neutered attempt to deflect from the violence shown on the regular. Chicago can have dozens of inner-city shootings take place at night, but Governor Pritzker will show glowing peaceful scenes, from miles away, in the morning, as “proof” that there is no violence.

Kristof is joining in with this sham now. Recently, we detailed how he claimed that Portland is nothing more than a beatific wine and cheese destination. Now, he arrives with a clownish video, mocking the claims of violence by showing his scene in the suburbs in midday, as proof that it is all a lie…despite the nightly videos we are served of protestors clashing with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

My video report from the perilous front lines of what President Trump described as “war-ravaged” Portland, a city “on fire,” requiring troops to come save us. pic.twitter.com/EarWVjkpx3

— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) October 6, 2025