Weiss is a breath of fresh air. I have been a Free Presser from the beginning and if CBS gets somewhere close to its objectivity I will be on board. Also, 60 minutes is not what it used to be. I had intimate knowledge on a story that 60 minutes did in my city a few years ago. I was shocked at how poorly it was done, and the lack of research that went into it.
Right as rain on everything today Joe, from The Free Press to Baier’s excellent Special Report to the crossroads at CBS. The outstanding thing about Bari’s Free Press is the fearless diversity of thought and quality of most pieces. (Kinda like here!)
And let's not ignore his spot-on description of the "ineffably clueless" Tim Walz. Has there ever been a better example of the weaponized, arrogant incompetence of the institutional left? It's infuriating what he is doing to the reputation of Minnesota, one of the best places with some of the best people I've ever known.
Thank you for this. As a founding subscriber to the Free Press, formerly Common Sense, I am happy to see you take a nuanced approach. Instead of a hatchet the way the legacy media has.
Bari Weiss’ moral clarity and independence is a breath of fresh air. She can be proud of what she has accomplished at The Free Press. Unlike you, I don’t think 60 Minutes has been brilliant for some time. And the rest of their news is dreck. I give Ms. Weiss credit for trying to turn it around. Unlike the pearl clutching holier than thou crowd currently assailing her character, I am willing to give her a wider berth. And besides, most are just being petty, probably jealous of what she’s accomplished.
I am sure she will make mistakes. Like all humans she is fallible. But let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. I think she has earned it.
Joe, I think this may be your only article that I generally agree with. I think it’s a valid criticism of the decay in US journalism and an aspiration to recover. Well done.
I must point out two disagreements:
1. I haven’t watched CBS Sunday Morning News for years, but 60 Minutes has degraded from the gold standard that it once was to one of the most unreliable sources. In a word they suck. If I had the time, I would love to Mike Wallace them on their outright lies and misinformation.
2. I volunteer on two election integrity alliances and there is no doubt that there was widespread election fraud in 2020. We managed to put enough eyeballs and controls into the 2024 election to keep it from changing the outcome of the voters’ wishes in most districts. So, unless you want to actually research any of this, then keep your ignorant opinion to yourself.
Actually it's quite easy to dispute Isaac Saul's fact free rant. Face it, he's one of the dumbest people on the planet. The only ones who are less intelligent are those who believe him. He's done no statistical analysis, in fact I don't think he's intelligent enough to learn statistics.
Heh. It's neither a rant nor fact free. And so far, the only thing I have learned is why you use a pseudonym rather than commenting using your real name.
But still curious to understand your evidence. Do you have a point to the "statistical analysis" demonstrating voter fraud?
What facts would you like to debate? The statistical analysis is obviously too complicated for your limited intellect. Why do you think that your ignorance obligates me to educate you?
I'm not asking you to explain the analysis. I'm asking for a link to it so I can review it myself. Or are you saying that there is definitive "statistical analysis" proving that there was fraud in the 2020 election but no one has bothered to write it up?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this article. I now have something to share with lib friends who are entirely ignorant of Bari Weiss and her accomplishments but have strong, detailed, negative assessments of her and her actions. I too, am a long time Free Press subscriber. It has helped me be better and more broadly informed. That is journalistic success.
I was a subscriber to the fp. I hoped for smart "Un woke" material. What I got was endless pro Isreal anti Palistinian clap trap. And endless anti DEI pieces with little facts but plenty of opinion. I ended my subscription. Thank God.
Another comment with kudos for this piece Joe. In general, I'm a big Jonathan Chait fan, but I've been extremely frustrated with all the pearl clutching around the 60 Minutes piece including his. I think if the piece had been (or eventually is) killed completely that would be one thing, but it's basically irrelevant whether it came out last week or in a couple more weeks. So let's see how the whole process plays out before making final judgments.
Meanwhile, I think your take on the Free Press is spot on well. Not that there isn't plenty to criticize: Bari is absolutely too Likudnik from this Jew's perspective (and she does Israel no favors in the long by not doing more to highlight the atrocity that is Netanyahu's policies on the West Bank) and the comments sections is so MAGA as to be completely useless.
But she has a knack for identifying interesting voices from many different perspectives and not only giving them a platform but either commissioning or selecting their best work. And she and Nellie have infused the site as a whole with a voice that has genuine wit and verve. She is the closest thing out there to a next generation Tina Brown, which is very high praise given how impressed I have been with Tina's Substack.
She could certainly fail at CBS (and as another commenter wrote the jury is certainly still out), but I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves.
This is above my pay grade, but I hope you can see the Canadian TV version that aired. I'm an old man and used to live up the street from 60 Minutes (57th and 8th) and work for Time and Life, etc. and I didn't see anything in the quashed segment that merited quashing. My sense is that Bari got in over her head (i.e. trying to be an administrator) and gave the Trump boys (i.e. Miller) too much credit for not responding..... when they should have been hit on the head. Thanks again for your brilliance. --pm
I think you're looking at it from the wrong end of the telescope. What was in the piece that was new? I've seen lots of horrific footage from that prison. It is an abomination. And...and...? What?That used to be the standard at 60. It should be again.
Geez, Joe, I usually agree with most you say but in the backstory of this is Trump who is stirring the pot as usual. However, to me, in this he has his whole arm in it.
Proof of that? Any at all? We have a responsibility to do better than conspiracy theorizing. That’s a MAGA ploy. Have you seen any evidence of Trump influence on The Free Press? I have not.
Starting with A J Liebling in the New Yorker I have constantly followed journalism. My moot court partner at Columbia Law School was Tom Goldstein, who went on to run its journalism school and the surprises.
I am acutely aware of the slant in 'journalism' that has existed for the past 35 years ago , all the more so in the 21st Century in those presenting the news for us. Now with bylines of those I trust disappearing, it gets harder and harder to maintain a balanced perspective, as well as some concrete knowledge of what is going on.
Parenthetically, I was responsible for Conrad Black ending up in jail as a result of his corporate theft.
My late wife was wheelchair bound for 20 years. As with many invalids, the television was on from six in the morning to late at night. We watched morning joe to start the day off (until it went off the rails) and kept it on that channel until Bret Baier came on for the news. We thought we were keeping somewhat of a balance on TV politics.
With Biden out of office, we find more and more to agree on, especially on Bari Weiss and The Free Press. Thoroughly enjoyed your article and wish both her and you a joyous and healthy new year.
You’re my kinda guy. My J School was very far from the Ivies, in the heart of flyover country and we were instructed by working or former newsmen (no women; it was the 60’s). Tough characters and not very liberal in the “woke” sense. Then a brief stint at the Wichita Eagle and Beacon before Uncle Same came for my young butt. I think I learned some good early lessons which I leaned on later as an Army journalist. Asking tough questions of superior officers was often frowned upon. Do what ya gotta do. However, the verdict on Bari is still in the jury room.
No proof you are right only listening to Trump saying 60 minutes has not been fair to him. A piece that is vetted 5 times, announced on TV then pulled does seem suspicious. However if you are going with it was flawed, I will await what comes next. Unfortunately I trust less and less people, but you are one who I do. I hope you are right.
Having watched the CEECOT segment that played on Canadian TV, I find your comments on Weiss's decision to kill the segment weak. In fact, you don't really address the segment's merits and faults. --peter meyer
I haven’t seen the segment yet, but I’ve seen LOTS of stories about the horrors of CECOT, terrible ones…and I totally oppose the policy. How did 60 Minutes advance the ball? I’ll wait to see Bari’s version to cast judgment.
Weiss is a breath of fresh air. I have been a Free Presser from the beginning and if CBS gets somewhere close to its objectivity I will be on board. Also, 60 minutes is not what it used to be. I had intimate knowledge on a story that 60 minutes did in my city a few years ago. I was shocked at how poorly it was done, and the lack of research that went into it.
Right as rain on everything today Joe, from The Free Press to Baier’s excellent Special Report to the crossroads at CBS. The outstanding thing about Bari’s Free Press is the fearless diversity of thought and quality of most pieces. (Kinda like here!)
Happy 2026!
And let's not ignore his spot-on description of the "ineffably clueless" Tim Walz. Has there ever been a better example of the weaponized, arrogant incompetence of the institutional left? It's infuriating what he is doing to the reputation of Minnesota, one of the best places with some of the best people I've ever known.
Thank you for this. As a founding subscriber to the Free Press, formerly Common Sense, I am happy to see you take a nuanced approach. Instead of a hatchet the way the legacy media has.
Bari Weiss’ moral clarity and independence is a breath of fresh air. She can be proud of what she has accomplished at The Free Press. Unlike you, I don’t think 60 Minutes has been brilliant for some time. And the rest of their news is dreck. I give Ms. Weiss credit for trying to turn it around. Unlike the pearl clutching holier than thou crowd currently assailing her character, I am willing to give her a wider berth. And besides, most are just being petty, probably jealous of what she’s accomplished.
I am sure she will make mistakes. Like all humans she is fallible. But let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. I think she has earned it.
Joe, I think this may be your only article that I generally agree with. I think it’s a valid criticism of the decay in US journalism and an aspiration to recover. Well done.
I must point out two disagreements:
1. I haven’t watched CBS Sunday Morning News for years, but 60 Minutes has degraded from the gold standard that it once was to one of the most unreliable sources. In a word they suck. If I had the time, I would love to Mike Wallace them on their outright lies and misinformation.
2. I volunteer on two election integrity alliances and there is no doubt that there was widespread election fraud in 2020. We managed to put enough eyeballs and controls into the 2024 election to keep it from changing the outcome of the voters’ wishes in most districts. So, unless you want to actually research any of this, then keep your ignorant opinion to yourself.
Otherwise Joe, good job.
Interested to know why you believe that "there is no doubt that there was widespread election fraud in 2020."
Isaac Saul of Tangle wrote a comprehensive debunking of pretty much every claim of fraud in 2020:
https://medium.com/the-political-prism/most-election-fraud-claims-still-have-very-simple-explanations-c6f13bce2c6e
https://x.com/Ike_Saul/status/1324435797374808066
Definitely curious to know what you think Isaac missed or got wrong?
Actually it's quite easy to dispute Isaac Saul's fact free rant. Face it, he's one of the dumbest people on the planet. The only ones who are less intelligent are those who believe him. He's done no statistical analysis, in fact I don't think he's intelligent enough to learn statistics.
Heh. It's neither a rant nor fact free. And so far, the only thing I have learned is why you use a pseudonym rather than commenting using your real name.
But still curious to understand your evidence. Do you have a point to the "statistical analysis" demonstrating voter fraud?
What facts would you like to debate? The statistical analysis is obviously too complicated for your limited intellect. Why do you think that your ignorance obligates me to educate you?
I'm not asking you to explain the analysis. I'm asking for a link to it so I can review it myself. Or are you saying that there is definitive "statistical analysis" proving that there was fraud in the 2020 election but no one has bothered to write it up?
Why do I have to repeat myself? "Why do you think that your ignorance obligates me to educate you?"
Solid effort Joe - that's the way you do it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this article. I now have something to share with lib friends who are entirely ignorant of Bari Weiss and her accomplishments but have strong, detailed, negative assessments of her and her actions. I too, am a long time Free Press subscriber. It has helped me be better and more broadly informed. That is journalistic success.
I was a subscriber to the fp. I hoped for smart "Un woke" material. What I got was endless pro Isreal anti Palistinian clap trap. And endless anti DEI pieces with little facts but plenty of opinion. I ended my subscription. Thank God.
Another comment with kudos for this piece Joe. In general, I'm a big Jonathan Chait fan, but I've been extremely frustrated with all the pearl clutching around the 60 Minutes piece including his. I think if the piece had been (or eventually is) killed completely that would be one thing, but it's basically irrelevant whether it came out last week or in a couple more weeks. So let's see how the whole process plays out before making final judgments.
Meanwhile, I think your take on the Free Press is spot on well. Not that there isn't plenty to criticize: Bari is absolutely too Likudnik from this Jew's perspective (and she does Israel no favors in the long by not doing more to highlight the atrocity that is Netanyahu's policies on the West Bank) and the comments sections is so MAGA as to be completely useless.
But she has a knack for identifying interesting voices from many different perspectives and not only giving them a platform but either commissioning or selecting their best work. And she and Nellie have infused the site as a whole with a voice that has genuine wit and verve. She is the closest thing out there to a next generation Tina Brown, which is very high praise given how impressed I have been with Tina's Substack.
She could certainly fail at CBS (and as another commenter wrote the jury is certainly still out), but I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves.
I should add that I hadn't seen your "Cynicism is what passes for insight among the mediocre" comment before, and it is deservedly famous.
Thanks, Joe, for sticking up for Bari. My sense is that she’s trying to do the right thing. We’ll see how she does.
This is above my pay grade, but I hope you can see the Canadian TV version that aired. I'm an old man and used to live up the street from 60 Minutes (57th and 8th) and work for Time and Life, etc. and I didn't see anything in the quashed segment that merited quashing. My sense is that Bari got in over her head (i.e. trying to be an administrator) and gave the Trump boys (i.e. Miller) too much credit for not responding..... when they should have been hit on the head. Thanks again for your brilliance. --pm
I think you're looking at it from the wrong end of the telescope. What was in the piece that was new? I've seen lots of horrific footage from that prison. It is an abomination. And...and...? What?That used to be the standard at 60. It should be again.
Geez, Joe, I usually agree with most you say but in the backstory of this is Trump who is stirring the pot as usual. However, to me, in this he has his whole arm in it.
Proof of that? Any at all? We have a responsibility to do better than conspiracy theorizing. That’s a MAGA ploy. Have you seen any evidence of Trump influence on The Free Press? I have not.
I am with you completely, Joe
Starting with A J Liebling in the New Yorker I have constantly followed journalism. My moot court partner at Columbia Law School was Tom Goldstein, who went on to run its journalism school and the surprises.
I am acutely aware of the slant in 'journalism' that has existed for the past 35 years ago , all the more so in the 21st Century in those presenting the news for us. Now with bylines of those I trust disappearing, it gets harder and harder to maintain a balanced perspective, as well as some concrete knowledge of what is going on.
Parenthetically, I was responsible for Conrad Black ending up in jail as a result of his corporate theft.
My late wife was wheelchair bound for 20 years. As with many invalids, the television was on from six in the morning to late at night. We watched morning joe to start the day off (until it went off the rails) and kept it on that channel until Bret Baier came on for the news. We thought we were keeping somewhat of a balance on TV politics.
With Biden out of office, we find more and more to agree on, especially on Bari Weiss and The Free Press. Thoroughly enjoyed your article and wish both her and you a joyous and healthy new year.
You’re my kinda guy. My J School was very far from the Ivies, in the heart of flyover country and we were instructed by working or former newsmen (no women; it was the 60’s). Tough characters and not very liberal in the “woke” sense. Then a brief stint at the Wichita Eagle and Beacon before Uncle Same came for my young butt. I think I learned some good early lessons which I leaned on later as an Army journalist. Asking tough questions of superior officers was often frowned upon. Do what ya gotta do. However, the verdict on Bari is still in the jury room.
No proof you are right only listening to Trump saying 60 minutes has not been fair to him. A piece that is vetted 5 times, announced on TV then pulled does seem suspicious. However if you are going with it was flawed, I will await what comes next. Unfortunately I trust less and less people, but you are one who I do. I hope you are right.
Having watched the CEECOT segment that played on Canadian TV, I find your comments on Weiss's decision to kill the segment weak. In fact, you don't really address the segment's merits and faults. --peter meyer
I haven’t seen the segment yet, but I’ve seen LOTS of stories about the horrors of CECOT, terrible ones…and I totally oppose the policy. How did 60 Minutes advance the ball? I’ll wait to see Bari’s version to cast judgment.