Former NYT Writer to Lead CBS Post Paramount Merger

Paramount has named former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the newest move by current leadership to reorganize workings of a major US news outlets.

Paramount is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised 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 larger merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.

Big name contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger campaign to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

"We believe the greater part of the country desires news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

More Change at CBS

Specifics of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to engage all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of prejudice and vowed to authorities that programming would showcase a diversity of perspectives.

He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news material including visual material can be distributed.

In a note revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she stated.