Former NYT Journalist to Lead CBS Following Paramount Merger
Paramount has selected ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the most recent move by recent acquirers to restructure workings of one of America's leading news organisations.
Paramount is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.
Big name writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger effort to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career 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 less partisan, and therefore has the potential to engage all demographics.
His takeover of Paramount was authorized by regulators this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.
To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess concerns of partiality and vowed to oversight bodies that programming would reflect a variety of view points.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news material including visual material can be distributed.
In a note revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they have faith 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, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she stated.