During a company‑wide all‑hands meeting held on Tuesday, CBS News anchor Gayle King publicly defended editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss and criticized staff members who had leaked internal documents. The meeting, recorded in audio form and later released by Business Insider, took place at CBS headquarters in New York City.

Context of the Meeting

The town hall was convened amid ongoing criticism of Weiss’s editorial direction, particularly her decision to shift CBS News toward a streaming‑first strategy. The network has faced scrutiny over its coverage of political events and its handling of internal communications. King, a long‑time host of the morning program CBS Mornings, used the platform to address concerns raised by colleagues and to reaffirm her commitment to the organization.

King’s Statements on CBS News and Bari Weiss

In her remarks, King said she was “very proud” of the work CBS News was doing despite the “noise” surrounding Weiss’s decisions. She acknowledged the uncertainty of the current period, describing it as “very bumpy times” and noting that the future was unclear. King emphasized the importance of continued effort, stating, “But I do know that we want to work hard and do a good job.”

King also expressed confidence in Weiss’s vision for the network. She described the editor‑in‑chief’s call to “shift to a streaming mentality immediately” as logical and aligned with the industry’s broader move toward digital platforms. King added that she believed the staff shared a desire for improvement, saying, “I don’t know anybody in this room that doesn’t want to make change for the better.”

Defense of Bari Weiss

King criticized those who had opposed Weiss, suggesting that many critics had not fully understood her perspective. She remarked, “They’ve never even heard your frigging voice,” and urged staff to recognize Weiss as a real person with clear intentions. King’s comments were aimed at countering negative narratives that had circulated within the organization.

During the same meeting, Weiss addressed speculation about King’s future at CBS. She described King as “absolutely beloved” and indicated that she expected the anchor to remain with the network “long into the future.”

Addressing Leaked Documents

King also confronted the issue of internal leaks. She stated, “I would like to think that we can have conversations and that we could talk candidly with each other, and it’s not going to frigging be in the paper.” King expressed frustration with the leaks, noting that she was “so sick of that.” She added that she would monitor how quickly the leaked material would become public, implying that the source was likely someone within the organization.

Implications for CBS News

The statements from King and Weiss highlight ongoing tensions within CBS News as the network navigates a shift toward streaming content. The public defense of Weiss by a high‑profile anchor may help to stabilize internal morale and counteract negative perceptions. However, the continued presence of leaked documents suggests that internal communication challenges remain unresolved.

Next Steps

CBS News has not announced any immediate policy changes regarding internal communications or the handling of leaks. The network’s leadership is expected to review its internal protocols and may issue a statement clarifying expectations for staff conduct. In the coming weeks, CBS is likely to provide updates on its strategic direction and any adjustments to its editorial leadership structure. The outcome of these developments will be closely monitored by industry observers and the network’s audience.