🔗 Share this article

Paramount has selected former NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the most recent step by recent acquirers to reorganize workings of one of America's leading news networks.

The company is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

From its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has drawn attention for articles such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Big name writers include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger effort to refresh programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

"We believe the majority of the country desires news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

More Change at CBS

Terms of the agreement were not made public. Paramount would not address stories that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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 aim is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the ability to connect with all demographics.

His purchase of Paramount was approved by government authorities this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an external reviewer at CBS to examine complaints of prejudice and promised to oversight bodies that content would showcase a variety of opinions.

He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news content including video footage can be shared.

In a statement declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, universal realities, and a common reality," she stated.