Former NYT Writer Takes Over CBS Following Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the newest step by current leadership to reshape workings of a prominent American news outlets.
Paramount is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Profile of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".
Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has received recognition for reports such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.
Big name authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a larger campaign to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country wants news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Details of the deal were not made public. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison made his name 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 more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to connect with all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison committed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine complaints of bias and committed to authorities that coverage would include a variety of opinions.
He also said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air edited interviews.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news reporting including video footage can be distributed.
In a note revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his management group.
"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, universal realities, and a common reality," she commented.
