Ex- New York Times Writer to Lead CBS Post Paramount Acquisition

The media conglomerate has appointed ex- New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the most recent move by current leadership to restructure operations of a major US news outlets.

The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her support of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".

Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has received recognition for reports such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.

Notable writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We believe the majority of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount declined to comment stories that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison made his name 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 coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the ability to reach all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review complaints of partiality and vowed to authorities that programming would reflect a variety of perspectives.

He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air edited interviews.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including visual material can be distributed.

In a note announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his management group.

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, common truths, and a shared perspective," she wrote.