Ex- NYT Writer Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Merger
The media conglomerate has named former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the newest move by new owners to reshape workings of one of America's leading news organisations.
Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement said 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 in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
History of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.
Notable writers include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a broader initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We are convinced the bulk of the country longs for news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to engage all viewers.
His takeover of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine concerns of bias and committed to regulators that programming would showcase a diversity of opinions.
He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air edited interviews.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news material including visual material can be shared.
In a message revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a common reality," she wrote.
