Former NYT Columnist Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Deal

Paramount has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the newest initiative by current leadership to reorganize workings of a major US news organisations.

The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is known for her support of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has drawn attention for reports such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.

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

Future Direction

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

"We think the greater part of the country wants news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison established his reputation 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 less partisan, and therefore has the ability to engage all demographics.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this season, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine complaints of prejudice and vowed to regulators that programming would reflect a variety of perspectives.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be exchanged.

In a statement declaring the deal, 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 conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a common reality," she stated.