Former New York Times Columnist Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Deal

The media conglomerate has named former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent step by current leadership to reshape activities of a major US news networks.

Paramount is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is known for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".

From its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Big name writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a broader campaign to refresh programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

"We are convinced the majority of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the deal were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to reach all viewers.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an external reviewer at CBS to review complaints of partiality and committed to authorities that programming would include a variety of perspectives.

He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be shared.

In a note announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.

"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, agreed principles, and a common reality," she commented.