Ex- New York Times Journalist Takes Over CBS Post Paramount Deal
Paramount has selected ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent step by new owners to reshape activities of a prominent American news networks.
The company is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".
Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has garnered notice for articles such as a article critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger effort to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the greater part of the country wants news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Details of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all demographics.
His purchase of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.
To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to review allegations of partiality and committed to oversight bodies that content would reflect a variety of view points.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news material including visual material can be exchanged.
In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.
"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she wrote.
