Ex- NYT Journalist to Lead CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
Paramount has named former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the latest step by new owners to reorganize operations of a major US news outlets.
Paramount is also purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic 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 Appointee
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has garnered notice for articles such as a article critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent authors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger effort to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We are convinced the greater part of the country longs for news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to reach all viewers.
His purchase of Paramount was approved by regulators this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to review allegations of prejudice and vowed to regulators that content would include a variety of perspectives.
He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.
In a statement announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.
