🔗 Share this article

Paramount has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the latest initiative by new owners to restructure operations of one of America's leading news networks.

Paramount is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for coverage such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Prominent contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

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

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

Additional Shifts at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to reach all demographics.

His purchase of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this season, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.

To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to review allegations of bias and promised to oversight bodies that programming would reflect a variety of perspectives.

He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.

Collaboration Information

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

In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his management group.

"They are committing fully because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, common truths, and a unified worldview," she stated.