Former New York Times Writer to Lead CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the most recent step by recent acquirers to reorganize operations of one of America's leading news outlets.
Paramount is furthermore buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
History of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her support of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for articles such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include academic 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 larger effort to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We are convinced the majority of the country wants news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Terms of the deal were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood film producer of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all demographics.
His takeover of Paramount was cleared by regulators this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.
To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess concerns of prejudice and vowed to regulators that coverage would include a diversity of perspectives.
He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including visual material can be shared.
In a message revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a common reality," she wrote.
