Ross Douthat Joined The Free Press as Columnist
The former New York Times opinion writer has taken a new weekly column role at The Free Press.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Media
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Journalist Ross Douthat has joined The Free Press as a weekly columnist. Douthat continues to serve as a correspondent for CBS News' 60 Minutes, a role he began earlier in 2026.
Why it matters
Douthat intends for his new column to provide frameworks for analyzing ongoing political, cultural and technological shifts. The move marks a transition for the veteran writer, who served as a New York Times opinion columnist from 2009 until his recent departure.
Ross Douthat began his career as a New York Times opinion columnist in 2009. The Free Press, his new outlet, was acquired by Paramount in October 2025.
The players
Ross Douthat
He is a journalist and commentator who previously served as an opinion columnist for The New York Times for over 15 years.
The Free Press
It is a digital media organization that operates as a brand within Skydance Media following its October 2025 acquisition by Paramount.
CBS News
This major American news division broadcasts the long-running investigative program 60 Minutes.
The details
Douthat noted that his discussions regarding independent publication began as early as 2020 with Bari Weiss. His columns for The Free Press will be available exclusively to the site's paid subscribers.
Timeline
2009: Douthat began his tenure as a New York Times opinion columnist.
2020: Douthat discussed independent publication ideas with Weiss.
October 2025: Paramount acquired The Free Press.
Early 2026: Douthat joined 60 Minutes as a correspondent.
October 8, 2026: Douthat announced his new columnist role at The Free Press.
Market Landscape
The recruitment of high-profile talent underscores the strategic growth of The Free Press within the media landscape. This move reflects an ongoing industry trend of consolidating individual journalistic brands under larger corporate media umbrellas.
Readers interested in Douthat's perspective must now access his weekly column through a paid subscription to The Free Press. This transition limits public access to his analysis compared to his previous tenure at a legacy newspaper.
The takeaway
The shift highlights the migration of veteran columnists from traditional legacy media outlets to independent digital platforms. Readers should prepare for content fragmentation as established voices increasingly move behind paywalls at niche media companies.
Further reading
For more coverage on shifts within the industry, visit Media.
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