Former New York Times Writer to Lead CBS Following Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the latest initiative by new owners to restructure workings of one of America's leading news networks.
Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
History of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".
From its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for coverage such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Big name contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger effort to update coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison established his reputation 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 journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the potential to connect with all demographics.
His purchase of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.
To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review complaints of bias and promised to oversight bodies that coverage would showcase a variety of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including visual material can be exchanged.
In a message declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a common reality," she stated.
