🔗 Share this article

Paramount has selected former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the most recent step by recent acquirers to restructure activities of one of America's leading news organisations.

Paramount is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

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

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is known for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".

From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for articles such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.

Notable authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a broader campaign to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".

"We think the bulk of the country wants news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

More Change at CBS

Specifics of the agreement were not made public. Paramount would not address reports that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood film producer of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is less partisan, and therefore has the capacity to engage all viewers.

His acquisition of Paramount was approved by government authorities this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of partiality and committed to regulators that coverage would showcase a variety of view points.

He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air edited interviews.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news material including recorded segments can be exchanged.

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

"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, agreed principles, and a common reality," she commented.