Ex- New York Times Columnist to Lead CBS Post Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the most recent step by new owners to reorganize operations of a major US news outlets.
Paramount is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed separation from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "woke culture".
Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has drawn attention for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.
Notable writers include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We think the greater part of the country wants news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to reach all audiences.
His purchase of Paramount was cleared by regulators this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to review concerns of bias and committed to authorities that coverage would reflect a range of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news content including video footage can be shared.
In a statement announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she wrote.
