Key facts
- Bari Weiss is hiring British journalists for CBS News.
- Trevor Phillips and Josh Boswell are among the recent hires.
- Weiss aims to counter U.S. newsroom "groupthink" and add "opinion/attitude diversity."
- The hires are seen by some as a move to shift CBS News' editorial direction to the right.
- Phillips has a controversial past, including a suspension from the Labour party.
Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News, is reportedly recruiting British journalists to her team, aiming to inject a different perspective into what she perceives as a "woke" journalistic consensus in the United States. This move comes amid internal and external opposition to her leadership.
Among the recent hires are influential British broadcaster Trevor Phillips as a senior global affairs correspondent and investigative reporter Josh Boswell from the Daily Mail. Weiss has also been linked to other prominent UK journalists, including BBC presenter Justin Webb, though no specific position was discussed. Allies suggest Weiss is seeking individuals who reject a liberal consensus on contentious issues and can provide a more direct, less "puff piece" style of reporting.
Figures familiar with Weiss's thinking believe her strong UK connections and understanding of the media landscape there are key. Her managing editor, Charles Forelle, also has UK experience and may have assisted in the recruitment process. Some allies also pointed to the generally lower cost of British journalists compared to their American counterparts.
Weiss has cultivated a network of UK-based thinkers who she believes challenge the status quo. This includes conservative writer Douglas Murray, who will pen a regular column for Weiss's "anti-woke" outlet, The Free Press. Weiss has also hosted events in London, bringing together figures described as part of the "heterodox world."
Phillips' appointment has drawn attention due to his past controversies, including a suspension from the Labour party over comments about British Muslims. Similarly, Justin Webb faced a BBC complaint regarding his phrasing on transgender issues. These hires have led some CBS News staffers to question the network's editorial direction and potential shift to the right, particularly in global coverage.