Former New York Times Writer Appointed to Head CBS Following Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has named former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent step by recent acquirers to reorganize workings of a prominent American news outlets.
Paramount is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is noted for her support of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for articles such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger effort to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the majority of the country wants news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Details of the deal were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all audiences.
His purchase of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.
To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to establish an external reviewer at CBS to review allegations of prejudice and promised to regulators that coverage would include a range of view points.
He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air edited interviews.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news content including recorded segments can be exchanged.
In a statement revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she stated.
