🔗 Share this article

Paramount has selected ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the latest step by recent acquirers to restructure operations of a major US news organisations.

Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her support of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has drawn attention for articles such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.

Prominent writers include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger initiative to update programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We are convinced the majority of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Details of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the capacity to reach all audiences.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by regulators this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine allegations of bias and promised to oversight bodies that programming would include a range of opinions.

He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.

In a message declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.

"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she commented.