🔗 Share this article

The media conglomerate has named former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the latest step by new owners to reorganize activities of one of America's leading news networks.

The company is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".

Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.

Big name authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We think the greater part of the country desires news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the ability to connect with all audiences.

His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison committed to install an external reviewer at CBS to review allegations of prejudice and promised to regulators that programming would include a diversity 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 collaborative arrangement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including visual material can be shared.

In a note revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she commented.