Former New York Times Journalist to Lead CBS After Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the newest initiative by current leadership to reshape activities of one of America's leading news outlets.
Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming overly political, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Profile of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for coverage such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader initiative to refresh programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We are convinced the greater part of the country longs for news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Details of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker 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 politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to connect with all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of partiality and promised to authorities that content would showcase a range of perspectives.
He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.
In a statement announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, common truths, and a common reality," she wrote.
