Former NYT Journalist Takes Over CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the newest move by current leadership to reorganize activities of one of America's leading news organisations.
The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Profile of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is known for her support of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 paying members.
It has drawn attention for coverage such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation 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 editor-in-chief was part of a larger effort to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Details of the agreement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to reach all audiences.
His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.
To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an external reviewer at CBS to examine complaints of prejudice and promised to authorities that programming would include a range of view points.
He also said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including visual material can be shared.
In a note revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, agreed principles, and a common reality," she stated.