A new debate series launched by CBS News, questioning whether feminism has failed women, has ignited controversy amidst a backdrop of declining women's rights globally and a significant shift in US media ownership.
The 'Things That Matter' Series and Its Provocative Questions
Scheduled to begin in 2026, CBS News is partnering with media startup The Free Press, founded by commentator Bari Weiss, to produce a debate series titled Things That Matter. Bank of America is sponsoring the project. The series promises to tackle questions such as 'Has feminism failed women?', 'Does America need God?', and 'Should Gen Z believe in the American Dream?'.
Weiss has positioned the series as an effort to bridge divides in a polarised America. However, critics argue the framing of these debates, particularly questioning feminism's value during a global rollback of women's rights, reflects a specific political agenda rather than neutral inquiry.
A Media Landscape Reshaped by Billionaire Influence
This initiative arrives during a profound transformation of the US media landscape, heavily influenced by wealthy allies of former President Donald Trump. The context is crucial: Paramount, CBS's parent company, was recently acquired in an $8bn mega-merger by Skydance Media, owned by David Ellison. His father, billionaire Larry Ellison, a major Trump donor, is a key figure.
This change in ownership has precipitated notable editorial shifts. Earlier in 2025, Paramount settled a $16m lawsuit with Donald Trump and cancelled Stephen Colbert's Late Show. Subsequently, in October, Paramount purchased Bari Weiss's The Free Press for $150m and installed Weiss as the editor-in-chief of CBS News. Reports from the Financial Times suggest Weiss's pro-Israel stance and criticism of 'wokeness' were factors in her appointment, as part of a reset for CBS's editorial direction.
Content and Controversy: From Town Halls to TikTok
Weiss's influence was quickly felt. A recent CBS town hall she hosted featured Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The event was criticised for resembling a 'sermon on Christian Zionism' more than objective journalism, raising questions about advocacy versus news. Despite CBS claiming viewership success, Nielsen data showed it drew only 1.9 million viewers, an 11% decline in its time slot.
This town hall was branded as the first part of the Things That Matter series, with future guests slated to include Trump's VP pick JD Vance and conservative columnist Ross Douthat.
The Ellison family's media influence extends beyond traditional broadcasting. In a significant move for digital media, TikTok signed a deal granting control of part of its US operations to a consortium including Oracle, the software giant founded by Larry Ellison. Oracle will also manage TikTok's US user data, consolidating the family's reach across both broadcast and social media platforms.
A Global Context of Rights Under Threat
The debate on feminism's 'failure' is set against a stark international reality. The International Planned Parenthood Federation reports that US funding cuts have forced 1,394 family planning clinics to close worldwide, blocking access to contraceptives and care for millions. Meanwhile, in Texas, authorities are compiling a list of transgender people changing gender markers and enforcing restrictive bathroom laws.
From Chile electing an ultra-conservative president opposed to abortion, to reports of newborns freezing to death in Gaza amid aid blockades, the series' central question appears disconnected from urgent, tangible crises affecting women and marginalised groups globally.
As billionaire ownership reshapes media narratives, the Things That Matter series underscores a pivotal question: who gets to decide what matters in public discourse, and whose voices are amplified in the process?
