Former New York Times Columnist Takes Over CBS After Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the newest initiative by current leadership to restructure activities of a major US news organisations.
The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison recently as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
History of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for articles such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.
Big name contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger initiative to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We think the greater part of the country longs for news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the capacity to engage all audiences.
His takeover of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.
To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an external reviewer at CBS to examine allegations of prejudice and promised to oversight bodies that coverage would include a diversity of view points.
He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air edited interviews.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including video footage can be exchanged.
In a message announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his management group.
"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, common truths, and a unified worldview," she stated.