Former New York Times Writer to Lead CBS Following Paramount Deal
Paramount has named former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the newest step by recent acquirers to reshape operations of one of America's leading news outlets.
The company is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Profile of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".
Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has garnered notice for articles such as a article critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a broader initiative to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We are convinced the bulk of the country wants news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Terms of the deal were not made public. Paramount would not address accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career 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 coverage that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to engage all demographics.
His takeover of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.
To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess concerns of prejudice and vowed to oversight bodies that programming would reflect a variety of view points.
He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including video footage can be exchanged.
In a statement declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.
"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she commented.
