Former NYT Columnist to Lead CBS Following Paramount Merger
Paramount has named former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the newest step by recent acquirers to restructure workings of a major US news networks.
The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed separation from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Background of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her support of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for reports such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.
Big name authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger initiative to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We believe the greater part of the country wants news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters 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 capacity to engage all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.
To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to install an external reviewer at CBS to review concerns of bias and vowed to authorities that programming would include a variety of opinions.
He further said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news reporting including video footage can be shared.
In a note declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, agreed principles, and a common reality," she wrote.