Ex- NYT Writer Appointed to Head CBS Following Paramount Deal
Paramount has selected former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the most recent step by recent acquirers to reshape operations of a prominent American news outlets.
Paramount is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Profile of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is known for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for reports such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.
Big name contributors include scholar 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 bigger initiative to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
More Change at CBS
Terms of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to engage all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review allegations of prejudice and committed to oversight bodies that content would reflect a range of view points.
He further said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air edited interviews.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be shared.
In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.
"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, common truths, and a common reality," she wrote.