Former New York Times Columnist Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
Paramount has selected former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the newest step by new owners to reshape workings of a prominent American news organisations.
The company is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
History of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".
Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger campaign to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the majority of the country longs for news that is fair and truthful, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the deal were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all demographics.
His takeover of Paramount was authorized by regulators this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.
To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess allegations of prejudice and promised to authorities that programming would include a range of perspectives.
He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be distributed.
In a note declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his management group.
"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, common truths, and a unified worldview," she stated.
